I know you can't spot reduce but....

GemUK84
GemUK84 Posts: 73 Member
edited October 1 in Fitness and Exercise
....Is there a particular type of cardio workout i should be doing to try and slim down my thighs, particularly the front of them?

Or is there any type of exercise i should avoid?

Im a bit of a novice to the whole exercise thing :ohwell:
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Replies

  • rfcollins33
    rfcollins33 Posts: 630
    I believe that squats, lunges will reduce cellulite. I've seen it in my own legs.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,994 Member
    Nope. Your body dictates where fat comes of last. Thank your parents for genetic predisposition. You can "increase" the process by a combination of strength training and cardio.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    That's pretty much it, cardio, strength training, and clean eating will help you reduce the fat deposits in your problem areas. If you want to work on muscle definition in those areas squats and proper lunges (at least 1 yard from the front heal to the back toe, back heel off the ground). regular mid range squats, wide stance squats, side to side squats, wall sits, etc . . .
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Try Power Yoga. It's a great full-body workout (and tone). Check out the Jillian Michael's Power Yoga DVD for $8 at Target. Or you can find a class near you that you like. :)
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    That's pretty much it, cardio, strength training, and clean eating will help you reduce the fat deposits in your problem areas. If you want to work on muscle definition in those areas squats and proper lunges (at least 1 yard from the front heal to the back toe, back heel off the ground). regular mid range squats, wide stance squats, side to side squats, wall sits, etc . . .

    this :)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,994 Member
    I believe that squats, lunges will reduce cellulite. I've seen it in my own legs.
    You'll strengthen and condition your legs and possibly reduce the orange peel appearance, but cellulite is connective tissue and exercise won't get rid of it.
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    ....Is there a particular type of cardio workout i should be doing to try and slim down my thighs, particularly the front of them?

    Or is there any type of exercise i should avoid?

    Im a bit of a novice to the whole exercise thing :ohwell:

    Also, try kettlebells. Make sure you research the correct way to use one though if you buy a DVD/bell combo :)
  • GemUK84
    GemUK84 Posts: 73 Member
    Thanks for the tips guys....is any type of cardio okay i.e Stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical im conscious of not doing anything to bulk them up anymore :laugh:
  • ShrinkingNinja
    ShrinkingNinja Posts: 460 Member
    You body will dictate where the fat comes off no matter what you do, BUT I would think that strength training those areas could at least help tone up said area some what and give more of a appearance of that area looking better.
  • ShrinkingNinja
    ShrinkingNinja Posts: 460 Member
    Thanks for the tips guys....is any type of cardio okay i.e Stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical im conscious of not doing anything to bulk them up anymore :laugh:

    You won't bulk up with strength training if you use a lower weight but higher reps. More weight with less reps leads to bulking up.
  • thebunnies
    thebunnies Posts: 168
    doing high resistence on the elliptical seems to be toning and slimming my legs. lunges are great, too.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Thanks for the tips guys....is any type of cardio okay i.e Stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical im conscious of not doing anything to bulk them up anymore :laugh:

    You won't bulk up with strength training if you use a lower weight but higher reps. More weight with less reps leads to bulking up.

    This is outdated philosophy, the newer science supports that women generally cannot "bulk up" without either suppliments, hormone imbalances, or extensive time in the weightroom (hours and hours per day). I'm 5'3" and lift what my trainer calls "impressive" weight (we've recently started doing olympic moves because he wants to see what I can do) and I'm a size 0 . . . I would definitely not call that "bulky." Pushing your resistence will only help you see results faster.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,994 Member


    You won't bulk up with strength training if you use a lower weight but higher reps. More weight with less reps leads to bulking up.
    Actually you can't bulk up on calorie deficit. Lift hard and heavy. It raises metabolic rate.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I believe that squats, lunges will reduce cellulite. I've seen it in my own legs.

    Yes, I agree. I've seen the same thing in mine. I HATE them, but I do them because they work.
  • VickiMitkins
    VickiMitkins Posts: 249 Member
    Thanks for the tips guys....is any type of cardio okay i.e Stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical im conscious of not doing anything to bulk them up anymore :laugh:

    I've always had very muscular legs and arms for a woman and I am short, so my goal is for a longer, leaner look. I have been using elliptical a good bit and I have noticed increased definition and tone, but not size. I also like to do some yoga to counter balance the weight lifting. I don't know why, but my muscles look less bulky and leaner than they used to. I think it comes down to a good balance of cardio, yoga/stretching, and weight training.
  • MommyTo2Girls
    MommyTo2Girls Posts: 14
    Doing Lunges, squats (all variatons of squats), wall sits, etc.. anything that will work my thighs, has actually made me lose a few inches around my thighs and (even though everyone says it wont help) HAS reduced my cellulite on the back of my thighs dramatically.
  • ShrinkingNinja
    ShrinkingNinja Posts: 460 Member
    Thanks for the tips guys....is any type of cardio okay i.e Stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical im conscious of not doing anything to bulk them up anymore :laugh:

    You won't bulk up with strength training if you use a lower weight but higher reps. More weight with less reps leads to bulking up.

    This is outdated philosophy, the newer science supports that women generally cannot "bulk up" without either suppliments, hormone imbalances, or extensive time in the weightroom (hours and hours per day). I'm 5'3" and lift what my trainer calls "impressive" weight (we've recently started doing olympic moves because he wants to see what I can do) and I'm a size 0 . . . I would definitely not call that "bulky." Pushing your resistence will only help you see results faster.

    I understand this. However, for someone new to strength training... Starting with lower weights and higher reps will help her get comfortable with strength training in general and will most definitely not cause her to "bulk up". Once she sees that she can up the weights as she sees fit.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    I understand this. However, for someone new to strength training... Starting with lower weights and higher reps will help her get comfortable with strength training in general and will most definitely not cause her to "bulk up". Once she sees that she can up the weights as she sees fit.

    Again, low weight high reps lifting for women is an outdated philosophy and may get results, but not efficently or as effectively. The newest science shows that for women efficent and effective results come from high weight, low reps, and that unless you have outside sources working women don't generally have the testosterone levels to bulk up.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Thanks for the tips guys....is any type of cardio okay i.e Stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical im conscious of not doing anything to bulk them up anymore :laugh:

    You won't bulk up with strength training if you use a lower weight but higher reps. More weight with less reps leads to bulking up.

    This is outdated philosophy, the newer science supports that women generally cannot "bulk up" without either suppliments, hormone imbalances, or extensive time in the weightroom (hours and hours per day). I'm 5'3" and lift what my trainer calls "impressive" weight (we've recently started doing olympic moves because he wants to see what I can do) and I'm a size 0 . . . I would definitely not call that "bulky." Pushing your resistence will only help you see results faster.

    If women can't bulk up what happened to Jillian Michaels? Or is she really a man?
  • ShrinkingNinja
    ShrinkingNinja Posts: 460 Member
    I understand this. However, for someone new to strength training... Starting with lower weights and higher reps will help her get comfortable with strength training in general and will most definitely not cause her to "bulk up". Once she sees that she can up the weights as she sees fit.

    Again, low weight high reps lifting for women is an outdated philosophy and may get results, but not efficently or as effectively. The newest science shows that for women efficent and effective results come from high weight, low reps, and that unless you have outside sources working women don't generally have the testosterone levels to bulk up.

    And again let me try to get the point across that I am suggesting she ease herself into the mind frame of lifting weights. She might feel more comfortable doing lighter weights with more reps first.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Thanks for the tips guys....is any type of cardio okay i.e Stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical im conscious of not doing anything to bulk them up anymore :laugh:

    You won't bulk up with strength training if you use a lower weight but higher reps. More weight with less reps leads to bulking up.

    This is outdated philosophy, the newer science supports that women generally cannot "bulk up" without either suppliments, hormone imbalances, or extensive time in the weightroom (hours and hours per day). I'm 5'3" and lift what my trainer calls "impressive" weight (we've recently started doing olympic moves because he wants to see what I can do) and I'm a size 0 . . . I would definitely not call that "bulky." Pushing your resistence will only help you see results faster.

    If women can't bulk up what happened to Jillian Michaels? Or is she really a man?

    I really don't see anything about this as bulky:

    http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/j/jillian_michaels_trainer-14398.jpg
  • ShrinkingNinja
    ShrinkingNinja Posts: 460 Member

    jillian_michaels_trainer-14398.jpg

    I actually think Jillian has got it going on... :)
  • ShrinkingNinja
    ShrinkingNinja Posts: 460 Member
    The picture of her on the shape magazine is a bit more flattering too.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member

    jillian_michaels_trainer-14398.jpg

    I actually think Jillian has got it going on... :)

    I've never actually seen her except in pics, which could be enhanced. But I think she looks bulky and manly.

    ***I couldn't see any of the pics posted just now because I'm at work and those sites are blocked. But it's nearly impossible to log onto MFP without seeing her in an ad for her workout DVDs
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member

    jillian_michaels_trainer-14398.jpg

    I actually think Jillian has got it going on... :)

    I know, right? I don't really get all the hating on her. Yeah, I think that there are some pictures selling her strength training products and what not where they probably put her into positions or airbursh the pictures and what not to increase her definition or even make her look bulkier, but if you look at most of the pictures of her she's just tone and slender. To think she was that fat kid?!?
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    did someone call Jillian Michaels "bulky"? ROTFL!

    really?

    She's like, the opposite of bulky IMHO.
  • lockef
    lockef Posts: 466
    Women saying that they don't want to lift weights because they don't want to get bulky is like saying you don't want to make a million dollars this year.

    It's not going to happen, unless you REALLY try hard at doing it. Even then, most still won't get there.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member

    jillian_michaels_trainer-14398.jpg

    I actually think Jillian has got it going on... :)

    I know, right? I don't really get all the hating on her. Yeah, I think that there are some pictures selling her strength training products and what not where they probably put her into positions or airbursh the pictures and what not to increase her definition or even make her look bulkier, but if you look at most of the pictures of her she's just tone and slender. To think she was that fat kid?!?

    I wasn't "hating on her". What do I care if she wants to get pumped up? I'm just saying that IMO that is bulky (the pics in ads for her DVDs) and the reason I increase reps instead of weight in strength training.
  • Fatemeh_59
    Fatemeh_59 Posts: 7 Member
    I have the same problem. :sad: Do elliptical and stationary biking help?
  • beazelsmom
    beazelsmom Posts: 20
    Try a couple different types of squats, the first is your plain old regular one, the other is called a chair squat. Keep your feet together and bring both arms up as you move down into the squat position, and another one to try is the sumo squat. Have your legs be shoulder width apart, point your toes outwards, now, do the actual squat, and put your hands on your things for support if needed. the last squat I know of is called the king's squat. Take a chair, a sturdy one you can use for balance and putting weight on. Put one foot on the chair, pull your foot front wards on the chair until you reach the bend of where your ankle and foot meet. This is the place for your foot. Now with the other leg, hop forwards and just a bit outwards, for better balance, and have something nearby you for extra balance if need be. Now slowly bend the standing leg into a 90 degree angle, and the other leg, that's one the chair should be doing the same. If you cant go all the way down, just go as far as you can comfortably. These all target the large muscles in the front of your thigh. I have been doing these for a couple of weeks, and i can feel the muscles work when I do the exercises and my husband even noticed one day when he grabbed my leg lol.
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