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Original poster

Best exercise for losing weight on hips and thighs?

62 replies

muminthecity · 27/07/2013 21:20

I have recently lost just over 3 stone with a combination of Slimming World and visiting the gym. The weight loss is really showing on my stomach, waist and arms, but my hips and thighs are still huge! Can anyone recommend a particular exercise that is good for these areas? Something that I can do either at the gym or at home? (The gym I go to is very modern and fully equipped with every machine known to man!) Thank you in advance Thanks

OP posts:
HeySoulSister · 27/07/2013 21:21

Squats!!

Original poster
muminthecity · 27/07/2013 21:26

Thanks HeySoulSister. Sorry for being so dim, but is there a specific technique, or do you just literally, um, squat? Grin How many do you think I should aim to do in one go?

OP posts:
BrandyAlexander · 27/07/2013 21:34

A stepper machine. Hurts like hell to start with but if you stick with then its like magic stuff for thighs. The difference is amazing. It also helps your cardiovascular endurance, i think its a case of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

CoteDAzur · 27/07/2013 21:40

Running.

HeySoulSister · 27/07/2013 22:33

There's a squat challenge somewhere

You go down to sitting position. I do loads. I have that thigh gap thing now

HeySoulSister · 27/07/2013 22:33

Yes, running as well! Grin

Original poster
muminthecity · 27/07/2013 22:36

I have tried running on the treadmill - I was not very good at it! I'm relatively new to the gym and terribly unfit. Would very fast walking count? I will try the stepping. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

OP posts:
Original poster
muminthecity · 27/07/2013 22:36

Will definitely try the squatting as well.

OP posts:
mercury7 · 27/07/2013 23:11

you can target different muscles to firm up by working them, but (as far as I know) you cant much control which area's of your body fat is lost from...sadly it goes from where ever it wants to go from:(

HeySoulSister · 27/07/2013 23:16

There is some research on this

It's quite well known that sprints strip belly fat for example

mercury7 · 27/07/2013 23:20

really Soulsister?
I'm sceptical
is it just running that strips belly fat, or would other activities using the same muscle groups at the same level of energy expenditure have the same effect?

I suspect it's just that sprinting is very intense and it's hard to reach that level with other activities

HeySoulSister · 27/07/2013 23:24

Not running no, sprinting. I don't know the science behind it but I was told this by my PT, so I quickly googled and saw some confirmation. Still sceptical myself I started sprinting (with PT)

I'm buying lots of belts these days.

AnythingNotEverything · 27/07/2013 23:24

If you mean"lose weight" as in "make smaller" as in "tone up" the. Heysoulsister is right - squats are your friend.

Check out YouTube for technique videos, or ask someone at the gym to show you. Technique is really important! Lunges are also great. Once you get your technique right you can add weights to make it suitably hard.

If you're working your muscles in this way, up your lean protein intake too.

CooEeeEldridge · 27/07/2013 23:24

Running! The only thing that really impacts your body shape I find.

mercury7 · 27/07/2013 23:29

hmm, I suspect that other exercise would work as well if it was performed at the same intensity as sprinting, but no matter, glad to hear that people have found things that work:)

I think fat stored below the waist tends to be the last to go?

CooEeeEldridge · 27/07/2013 23:34

I always agreed with you mercury, and do a lot of double / triple high intensity aerobics classes, which definitely keep me trim. But running (and for me it's 6mile plus runs that show benefits) really show quickly, so if I'm conscious of wearing a tight dress a couple of runs in the days before always sort me out, and sustained periods of running dramatically changed my waist shape. On the other hand I think there's a knack to getting to know what impacts you as an individual.

mercury7 · 27/07/2013 23:39

sure, but if you measured your hr during the double / triple high intensity aerobics classes and compared it to a run I suspect it'd be higher and/or more sustained with the run?

but I do hear you CooEee there does seem to be something 'magic' about running

redwellybluewelly · 27/07/2013 23:46

Have you heard of the couch to 5k challenge?

Have a google or there is a long standing thread on here somewhere.

I've almost 3 stone to lose and im hoping to start this very soon hoping I will see benefits of weight loss all over but particularly on my thighs!

HeySoulSister · 27/07/2013 23:48

Is that about 10k then? Rubbish at converting miles

CoteDAzur · 28/07/2013 07:05

Squats and lunges are a great way to screw up your knees & hips, especially if your relevant muscles aren't reasonably strong to start with and/or you are over 35.

CoteDAzur · 28/07/2013 07:08

Muminthecity - Nobody is any good at running to start with. That is why we have started slowly and with run/walk/run type interval training programs like C25K.

HeySoulSister · 28/07/2013 09:35

Er, why over 35??

NoComet · 28/07/2013 09:55

No idea, my knees have had attitude since I was at school

charitygirl · 28/07/2013 10:01

I rate Jillian Michael's Killer Buns and Thighs. My thighs look a lot leaner and firmer now.

TSSDNCOP · 28/07/2013 10:02

Mum have a look at your gym timetables, step, body pump and body conditioning all good. I also have a sadistic gym teacher that hosts the most vicious aqua class ever. Last one I went to I could barely drive home!