If you’ve been noticing dimpling on your behind, you’re not alone. Up to 90 percent of women experience cellulite at some point in their lives.
What is it, really? Cellulite is the fat cells we find just under the top layer of skin. These fat cells squeeze between bands of collagen, attaching muscles to the skin.
Dermatologists suggest that poor circulation – which is mostly genetic – can make those lumps and bumps look worse. That’s because when your blood flow slows down, the collagen separates, and that means the fat comes up to the surface of the skin. That’s when you get the orange-peel effect.
It’s certainly a confidence bummer.
The good news is that there are several specific exercises that target those lumps. So, if you’re ready to kick cellulite to the curb, here are the moves you need to start doing today.
The high back kick
If you’re tired of covering up your thighs and buttocks with baggy trousers just to try and hide the appearance of cellulite, this is the strength and toning exercise for you. It’s really good for boosting circulation to the lower part of the body, and it’s great for relaxing your lower back.
Here’s what to do:
- Position yourself all fours, supporting yourself with your knees and forearms
- Keep your elbows right below your shoulders and your back straight
- Lift one leg towards the ceiling, slightly bending the knee
- Lower the leg and repeat 15 times with each leg
High knees
This is another great move for improving blood flow, and it’s low-impact, too.
Stand with your chest tall and feet slightly apart. Alternating legs, bring your knees up to chest height, flexing the working glute at the top of this movement. Try to bring your leg up as high as you can and hold for a second before alternating legs.
Aim to do 3 sets for a total of 2 minutes each.
Lateral goblet lunge
Stand tall with your feet together, pointing forward, and grip a dumbbell by one end, vertically. Keep your hands at chest height with your elbows bent by your sides.
Keep your left leg straight and step the right leg as far to the right as possible, bending the knee and lowering your hips as deeply as you safely can. Push off your right foot to return to the starting position. Do 20 on the right leg and then 20 on the left to tone your glutes and thighs and bust that cellulite. Aim to do 2 sets on each side.
Classic lunges
Start by standing tall with your feet hip-distance apart. Take a big step forward or backward, lowering your body, bending both knees as you do. Aim to keep the knees at 90 degrees when bent and your front knee aligned over your front ankle.
Step your feet back together and repeat. You can do all the sets of one leg and then the other, or alternate legs for a walking lunge. Aim for 3 sets of 15 on each side with these classic lunges.
The bridge
This is an effective exercise for your glutes and abductors. It works well to firm up the muscles and reduce cellulite in your thighs and buttocks.
Do this:
- Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor, a little less than hip-distance apart, and knees bent. Keep your hands flat next to you.
- Tighten your buttocks as much as you can, keep your abs engaged and tight, and lift your pelvis upwards.
- Hold the position for around 3 or 4 seconds and lower back to the floor.
- Aim for 3 sets of 15 with the bridge.
Goblet plie squat
Stand with your feet wider than hip-distance apart and your toes turned out, like a sumo wrestler. Hold a heavy dumbbell vertically by one end using both hands. Keep your hands at chest height with your elbows bent by your sides.
Squat down, pushing your knees out to the sides and then return to the starting position. Aim for 2 sets of 20 to really target the thighs and buttocks and tighten up those muscles.
Start busting cellulite today
Exercise is just one way to increase blood flow to your cellulite spots.
At ENVY Skin Clinic, we offer Cellulite Reduction treatments for really target trouble areas.
Book your ENVY treatment today.