If the goal is to get thinner thighs, dieting doesn't figure too strongly into the plan. The fact is that exercise is the only way to burn the fat in the upper legs and reveal the lean muscles. Unfortunately, it is possible to choose the wrong type of exercise and cause the thigh muscles to become larger and bulkier. There must be a balance between repetitions of a movement and resistance to that movement.
Resistance training that targets the thigh muscles should be avoided if one wants to achieve lean look. Elliptical, and treadmills should be avoided or have the resistance set to a minimum. Walking outdoors should only take paths that avoid uphill stretches that make have to work harder. Many repetitions at little or no resistance should be the goal.
Walking is probably the best overall exercise one can choose to target the proper muscle groups and achieve thinner thighs. It is one of the most natural movements available and works each muscle group in the proper sequence. Walking is also good for toning and strengthening the core. Walking in natural terrain should avoid hills to limit the effect of gravity on resistance.
Some people are in better physical shape already. For these individuals, running may prove better than walking. It is important to note that how one runs will have a direct impact on the appearance of the upper legs. Distance runners normally have long, graceful legs while sprinters tend more toward shorter, bulkier thigh muscles designed to provide a burst of speed.
The difference can be seen easily by looking at a distance or marathon runner side by side with a sprinter. The sprinter will have heavily muscled legs while the marathoner will have long, lean lines.
Dance provides another way to work the targeted muscles to achieve longer, more graceful lines. Many ballet movements are designed to target the areas of the upper legs where fat is most likely to accumulate and burn it away. At the same time, these moves are geared to providing long, graceful upper legs instead of heavily muscled ones. Dance instructors will normally be happy to demonstrate and teach these moves and provide coaching to help one obtain the best results.
No matter what form of exercise program one undertakes to improve the appearance of the thighs, stretching and cooling down immediately after the workout is a must. There are several different yoga poses one can adopt as well as more dance movements and poses that promote a good stretch in the upper leg area. Stretching the muscles out and cooling them down properly will help avoid cramps and keep the muscle fibers long and supple. This will help to reduce the appearance of bulking up that can develop as the muscles become stronger.
Whether one is trying lose weight or simply tone up, diet is important. However, when working to get thinner thighs, diet doesn't play much of a role at all. The function of diet is to ensure proper nutrients are available to the muscles and to aid in burning fat overall. Choosing the correct type of exercise program to target the specific muscle groups that affect the appearance of the thighs without causing them to add bulk is the key to meeting this goal.
Resistance training that targets the thigh muscles should be avoided if one wants to achieve lean look. Elliptical, and treadmills should be avoided or have the resistance set to a minimum. Walking outdoors should only take paths that avoid uphill stretches that make have to work harder. Many repetitions at little or no resistance should be the goal.
Walking is probably the best overall exercise one can choose to target the proper muscle groups and achieve thinner thighs. It is one of the most natural movements available and works each muscle group in the proper sequence. Walking is also good for toning and strengthening the core. Walking in natural terrain should avoid hills to limit the effect of gravity on resistance.
Some people are in better physical shape already. For these individuals, running may prove better than walking. It is important to note that how one runs will have a direct impact on the appearance of the upper legs. Distance runners normally have long, graceful legs while sprinters tend more toward shorter, bulkier thigh muscles designed to provide a burst of speed.
The difference can be seen easily by looking at a distance or marathon runner side by side with a sprinter. The sprinter will have heavily muscled legs while the marathoner will have long, lean lines.
Dance provides another way to work the targeted muscles to achieve longer, more graceful lines. Many ballet movements are designed to target the areas of the upper legs where fat is most likely to accumulate and burn it away. At the same time, these moves are geared to providing long, graceful upper legs instead of heavily muscled ones. Dance instructors will normally be happy to demonstrate and teach these moves and provide coaching to help one obtain the best results.
No matter what form of exercise program one undertakes to improve the appearance of the thighs, stretching and cooling down immediately after the workout is a must. There are several different yoga poses one can adopt as well as more dance movements and poses that promote a good stretch in the upper leg area. Stretching the muscles out and cooling them down properly will help avoid cramps and keep the muscle fibers long and supple. This will help to reduce the appearance of bulking up that can develop as the muscles become stronger.
Whether one is trying lose weight or simply tone up, diet is important. However, when working to get thinner thighs, diet doesn't play much of a role at all. The function of diet is to ensure proper nutrients are available to the muscles and to aid in burning fat overall. Choosing the correct type of exercise program to target the specific muscle groups that affect the appearance of the thighs without causing them to add bulk is the key to meeting this goal.
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