Recommendations for inner thigh exercises?

ojade9800

Hi everyone,
Im looking for any recommendations for any way to lose fat and tone up the inner thigh. Ive had issues with it for years and it is just there. im currently cycling and started walking but any other advice is greatly appreciated!

Chef_Barbell

You can't spot reduce... losing weight in general and eventually it will get smaller.

Also genetics play a role in your general overall shape. Like for me, I will never have slim thighs as I'm bottom heavy.

AnnPT77

She's right: Spot reducing fat is not a thing we can achieve. We just need to lose fat until we're in a healthy zone.

You can "tone" any area that has muscles in it. "Toning" usually means building and firming muscles, in a context where enough fat has been lost that those muscles show in an aesthetically pleasing way. Your cycling and walking are good. There are lots of lists and videos online of exercises for inner and outer thighs, which may not be worked as much by cycling. Some examples are side lunges, side step-ups, sumo squats, squeezing a ball between your legs, clamshells, various exercises with resistance bands . . . .

age_is_just_a_number

Can’t spot lose weight. Your body decides where the fat will be used.

In terms of exercises that build upper leg, inner thigh, muscles, consider these:
Squats, leg raises, clam shell, sumo squats,
Consider Pilates
https://www.goodfellowunit.org/sites/default/files/events/mercy_ascot/hip_abductor_exercises.pdf

yirara

Sorry, you can't spot reduce, and just training the inner thighs won't make the fat there disappear or turn fat into muscle. Any exercise is great for heath though.

Kait_Dee

I love working adductors; when well shaped, they give the leg a whole different look!

I use bands for most of my work - I found a great set on Amazon that actually don't slip and slide around and come with different "weighting" - e.g.: the heavy band mimics using anywhere from 50-70lbs. I do things like clam shells, walking side lunges etc.

If you have a little set of dumbbells, you could do split squats - although those are brutal enough without dumbbells - the idea is all about stabilization. Those muscles really help with that - so even some yoga or an online barre class could possibly help in terms of getting them to strengthen up and have a different appearance.

In terms of the fat itself, well, that just comes with creating your regular calorie deficit through nutrition and exercise!

Good luck and let me know what you think if you try any of the things I suggested!

Jthanmyfitnesspal

@Kait_Dee wins for giving the most positive response and not using the phrase "you can't spot reduce." While the phrase is true, you can shape up overall and make you legs stronger.

I care more about fitness than looks, and I find that cycling and walking are great for legs overall, so you're already doing it. Add in some resistance training (bands, squats, etc.), and you'll see results!

elisa123gal

Great suggestions on toning exercises for the inner thigh. I find my legs have gotten toned from my daily power walks.. but the inner thigh needs its own work. Exercises do work in improving problem areas.

Speakeasy76

I'll agree with what a lot of others are saying in that you can't spot reduce one area, but there are exercises out there to specifically tone the legs and inner thighs. I think Barre-type exercises (think plies) are great for this, especially if one isn't concerned about gaining a lot of strength or getting stronger in certain lifts.

I currently do heavy lifting with more compound exercises for my strength training, but used to swap out one of those sessions for a Barre workout because I really enjoyed them (and still incorporate some of the moves and use for my core work). I highly recommend Suzanne Bowen fitness for this. I like her philosophy (she'll also tell you you can't spot reduce) and her workouts are challenging, yet not punishing and would want to do them again. I feel like some Barre-type routines are too fast for my taste (and thereby for me form wasn't necessarily a priority). I'd do her workouts all the time if they aligned more with my current fitness goals.