Cellulite - Exercises to Remove Cellulite

Cellulite is a harmless but annoying skin condition that affects a large segment of adult female population. It is mistakenly believed to be the result of obesity whereas in reality overweight men and children are less affected by cellulite than post-pubescent women. This misconception comes from the fact that many of the same factors that lead to weight gain also lead to the development of cellulite. While there is no absolute cure for cellulite, certain exercises can go a long way in toning up the muscles, thus improving both the elasticity as well as appearance of skin.

Start with a little warm-up. You can jog, bike or simply walk briskly for ten minutes or so. This is essential as a warm-up increases the blood circulation in your body and also helps the body to loosen up, thus reducing the possibility of muscle cramps and strains.

Basic squats

One of the best exercises to combat cellulite is the squat since it targets the buttocks and thighs – areas which are most prone to developing the unsightly lumps and bumps. Start with the basic squat where you move as to sit down by bending your knees ensuring that your upper body does not appreciably lean forward. Keep your butt pointing rearwards as you start to lower your body by bending at the knees. Don’t descend any lower than where your thighs are parallel to the floor. Also it is important not to arch the back forward on descent or when you return to the start position. You could try three sets of 10 exercise repetitions with an appropriate weight to start with.

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Standing lunges

These are another useful anti-cellulite exercise since they specifically target the thighs and buttocks. Stand next to a sturdy object at your side that you can hold for balance. Place one foot flat in front of you and the other foot well behind you. In this position, you should feel a slight stretch in the groin. Bend your knees and lower your body toward the floor. Do not let your front knee go past your toes, and keep your front leg at a ninety-degree angle. Keep your rear knee close to the ground without touching it. Return to the standing position, and repeat five to ten times.

Triceps Pushdown

If you are a gym regular, you can try out the triceps pushdown. This is because besides the lower limbs, another cellulite prone area of the body is the upper arm. Thus exercises which build up biceps and triceps may be effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite. Start by bracing the abdominals. Push down on the handle bar until elbows are fully extended yet without snapping the elbows straight and by keeping the elbows close to the body on the way down. Bend the knees slightly on the pushdown but stay as upright as possible with back straight. Avoid making use of the back and shoulder muscles by bending too far forward. Allow the bar to return to the starting point under control and try not to clash the weights. It is recommended that you do this exercise under the guidance of a professional trainer.

Cardios

However if you are not really keen on the above intensive workouts, you could also look for cardios to get that toned look. The cardio workout will reduce the appearance of cellulite in the same way as the toning/muscle building, but it may take a little longer to get the desired results since it does not target the cellulite-affected areas directly. So to burn off the cellulite faster, consider doing more intense cardio exercise, for instance doing a Spin class at the gym.  Running is also another useful option.  Try running at a pace that is around a level 6-8. Ideally when you are running or jogging you should be able to hold a conversation; if you can’t, you are working out too hard and ultimately this will not help you burn off fat. Rather when you work out over a certain threshold, your body starts creating lactic acid and in the process tries to hold onto the fat to protect itself from this acid.

Walking

If cardio too isn’t your cup of tea, brisk walking is a great option among exercises to combat cellulite. However while walking, ensure that your muscles are being sufficiently worked out so that the underlying fat deposits are burned off and the body acquires a leaner, sculpted look. To do this you can alternate brisk walking with jogging on the spot till you are out of breath. While walking is one of the best exercises to get rid of cellulite naturally, it involves a longer time for results to show since it does not target specific cellulite-affected areas unlike intense exercises which work out the muscles.

Consult a professional

No matter what exercise regimen you opt, it is extremely important to discuss this with your medical practitioner beforehand. This is so he/she can rule out any underlying conditions which might make a particular exercise potentially harmful for you. Also it is far better to exercise under the supervision of a trained instructor who will know exactly which areas need more workouts in order to diminish the appearance of cellulite. Above all consistency and discipline are required to make any exercise plan a success.

Finally, while exercise may work to reduce the appearance of cellulite by improving muscle and skin tone, it will be most beneficial if you accompany it with the right diet and an overall healthy lifestyle.