Exercises for Cellulite Reduction

Exercising is great for your body and overall health, whether you are doing it for fun or to banish cellulite from your thighs and butt. Incorporating some of the exercises below—in conjunction with an anti-cellulite cream—will give you an extra edge in your fight against cellulite.

What Are The Best Cellulite Exercises?

Of all the different cellulite treatments, exercise is by far the most reliable. The best exercises for getting rid of cellulite can be divided into two categories: cardiovascular and anaerobic. Cardiovascular exercises usually involve your whole body and increase the circulation of your blood, while anaerobic exercises use weights to target the muscles that surround your cellulite.

Cardiovascular Exercises

Cardiovascular exercises can help rid you of cellulite in several ways. For starters, they increase circulation, which helps your body filter out toxins and the stubborn fat formations responsible for the prominent appearance of cellulite. They also target large muscle groups, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, where cellulite is often found. Some of the most effective cardiovascular exercises are:

• Swimming
• Walking
• Using a treadmill
• Bicycling
• Using an elliptical
• Rowing
• Using a stepper
• Playing squash
• Cardio Kickboxing

Anaerobic Exercises

Did you know that your body burns an extra 50 calories per day for every pound of muscle you have? This is where anaerobic exercises come in. These exercises alter your body by using weights and weight machines to target specific muscles and build up muscle tissue. By targeting your quads, hamstrings, and glutes with weight-based exercises, you increase blood flow to these areas and increase the amount of fat which is burned around the thighs and buttocks.

Anaerobic Workout Tips

If you have access to a gym, find out which machines can help you perform squats and leg curls and make them your new best friends. These types exercises are the most efficient means of targeting the muscles that you need to strengthen in order to diminish the appearance of cellulite from your legs and butt.

Start out with a weight which is challenging, yet not too heavy. If your first few repetitions are easy but your muscles start to feel fatigued by the end of the set, then that is probably the best weight for you. You should not be breezing through your exercises, but you should not be straining with the weights after your first rep, either. Experiment with different weights to find the best set for you.

In order to strengthen your muscles, increase the amount of weight you use by 5-10 pounds about once every week. Try doing three sets of exercises on each machine you use, rotating from one machine to the next, with a two minute break between each set. Bring a small notebook with you to keep track of which machines you use, how much weight you lift on them, and how many sets you complete, in order to track your progress.

If you don’t have a gym membership, there are still ways to practice these exercises at home with inexpensive equipment (such as an exercise ball) or even common items that you can easily find in your own home. For example, squats can be performed on a dining room chair: just sit down slowly over the chair, but stop right before your posterior touches the seat and slowly stand back up. For extra benefits, hold yourself in place for three seconds before rising from the squat. Just remember to make use of the repetition and set guidelines outlined above. Most importantly, check with your doctor prior to beginning any exercise routine, especially if you have not been doing intense exercises such as these for a long time.

Click here to find excellent cellulite treatments to complement your new exercise routines.