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Original poster

My arse would fail the pencil test.

34 replies

EnviablePins · 04/08/2013 11:34

I just don't get it. I'm not in bad shape; size 10, BMI 21, have a very active lifestyle, lots of walking, squats, lunges, cycling etc. But no matter what I do, the bum stays resolutely saggy. Is it an age thing (am 39)? Or a genetically determined body shape issue? If anyone can tell me a non-surgical way to lift the old arse a couple of cms off the back of my thighs, I will buy them a pint. Honest.

OP posts:
Original poster
EnviablePins · 04/08/2013 14:56

Anyone? Someone out there must have a backside you can bounce a coin off. What's the secret??

OP posts:
notyummy · 04/08/2013 14:59

I think it's partially genetic tbh. The only th

docket · 04/08/2013 15:01

I am the same size as you, also do a fair bit of exercise, inc. plenty of squats and lunges. The muscles in the backside are naturally lazy apparently and hard to tone. I have a low slung bum and so does my mum, I blame genes!

notyummy · 04/08/2013 15:02

Bah! What i meant to say was the only thing I can think of that you haven't mentioned are weights and Callanetics - I have found they have made a difference for me. Not sure I could pass the pencil myself at rising 42, but a least I pass the pencil case test ;)

motherinferior · 04/08/2013 15:02

Am I the only person nervously wedging a pencil under my buttocks as a result of this thread? I am, aren't I....

Timeforabiscuit · 04/08/2013 15:04

Glances quickly around, no mother I don't think you are!

CerealMom · 04/08/2013 15:11

My tits and arse are both as saggy as a sail with no wind. In fact I can stash a whole back to school stationary set (protractor, compasses, set squares - the lot) under my boobs these days.

NomDeOrdinateur · 04/08/2013 15:43

Might be worth trying Gillian Michaels's Killer Buns And Thighs DVD - I've only done the first level of her introductory 30 Day Shred so far, but it's already made a huge difference. 30DS would probably be too easy to do you much good if you're already fit, but Killer Buns looks very difficult!

lifesgreatquestions · 04/08/2013 16:51

Having just very nervously googled "bum pencil test" and safely arrived at the other end I can say that it must be genetic. I am much larger than you and am not able to hold a pencil under my cheek.

mercury7 · 04/08/2013 16:53

the size and shape of the glutes will I guess be genetically determined to some extent, but you should be able to make it bigger and firmer with weight training.

I find lunges (with a long wide stance, all the reps on one leg then change) very good, pretty much the only thing that makes the muscle hurt the next day.

this is quite a good vid for lunges, although I prefer a longer stance:

or try these

It might be that you are naturally inclined to store fat in that area and I have heard that subcutaneous fat stored in the hip & thigh is harder to get rid of, as opposed to say belly fat, but I'm not sure if that is the case

Normalbutleaking · 04/08/2013 20:05

I must do that test. I presume it's like the boobs pencil test?!

berri · 04/08/2013 20:12

What about trying the 30 day squat challenge? Some of the before and after pics online look quite impressive. I'm not doing the challenge but have been trying to do 100 each time I get the baby to sleep - she drops off nicely at about 70!

lifesgreatquestions · 04/08/2013 20:13

Ooh, beri what's the 30 day squat challenge?

berri · 04/08/2013 20:28

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.aprilathena7.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/30-day-squat-challenge.jpg&imgrefurl=www.aprilathena7.com/life/30-day-squat-challenge-30-day-crunch-challenge/&h=458&w=700&sz=208&tbnid=XdcgUtvPhYQizM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=138&prev=/search%3Fq%3D30%2Bday%2Bsquat%2Bchallenge%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=30+day+squat+challenge&usg=__KujNltG3CcJ-vQ_K0t8nhZZ8Fls=&docid=i8Ii0c7F_16ZiM&sa=X&ei=Gav-UfxA4c7IAd_YgaAP&sqi=2&ved=0CEUQ9QEwAg&dur=361" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.aprilathena7.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/30-day-squat-challenge.jpg&imgrefurl=www.aprilathena7.com/life/30-day-squat-challenge-30-day-crunch-challenge/&h=458&w=700&sz=208&tbnid=XdcgUtvPhYQizM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=138&prev=/search%3Fq%3D30%2Bday%2Bsquat%2Bchallenge%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=30+day+squat+challenge&usg=__KujNltG3CcJ-vQ_K0t8nhZZ8Fls=&docid=i8Ii0c7F_16ZiM&sa=X&ei=Gav-UfxA4c7IAd_YgaAP&sqi=2&ved=0CEUQ9QEwAg&dur=361

berri · 04/08/2013 20:28

Bloody hell, not sure what happened with that link! Appears to work though Grin

littlemissnormal · 04/08/2013 20:30

I've just had this exact same discussion with a trainer in my gym.

She's told me to do squats but with your feet only shoulder width apart to work your buttocks rather than your thighs which is what happens if you squat with a wider stance.

Also on the cross-trainer, set it to a high step and stand upright to really work the gluteals!

NachoAddict · 04/08/2013 20:46

I hold it on one side and drop it on the other. At least half of me is perky!

suchawimp · 04/08/2013 20:48

Bum would fail, boobs would pass.

mercury7 · 04/08/2013 21:10

each to their own but I'd not rate the squat challenge as a good way to build muscle, volume & reps are way too high, plus many people find squats target quads over glutes

coffeeinbed · 04/08/2013 21:17

There's a squat you do using one leg and the other one only as balance.
It's a killer.

Fifi2406 · 04/08/2013 21:29

Is it a good thing if you can hold the pencil or if it falls? I am new to the pencil tests?

mercury7 · 04/08/2013 21:32

is that bulgarian split squat
or pistol squat Coffee?

coffeeinbed · 04/08/2013 21:35

don't know..
I used to do a Cathy Smith video - yes, a video back in the days - and she used it and the whole workout was brilliant.
can't find it on DVD though.

coffeeinbed · 04/08/2013 21:39

you sort of stand for a squat but move one leg a bit to the side and back and only use it for balance while you squat on the other.
she also had this thing where you lay on your back, feet on a chair, one foot in the air and bring you bum up. and repeat, then other side. and repeat.

HollaAtMeBaby · 04/08/2013 21:41

If you naturally have a defined crease at the bottom of each buttock, you will never pass the pencil test (who thought that up anyway?). This is not a real problem! All of these arses look fine to me.