Reducing cellulite with exercise

CELLULITE is described as fat deposits that appear as lumps under the skin, and it can be unsightly, often leading to body image issues.

But personal trainer and fitness coach Gisel Harrow explained that you can reduce the appearance of cellulite through exercise and proper dieting, along with drinking plenty of water.

She said exercises such as squats, lunges, glute kicks, deadlifts, running, swimming, jump rope, burpees and mountain climbing are effective ways of reducing body fat which will in turn reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Below are some exercises you can try at home to help.

Straight leg deadlift

Get a pair of dumbbells and hold them at arm’s length in front of your thighs. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Without changing the angle of your knees, bend at your hips and lower your torso until it’s almost parallel to the floor. Pause, then squeeze your glutes, thrust your hips forward, and raise your torso back to the start.

All fours kickback

Preferably wearing ankle weights, get down on your forearms and knees. Keep your back straight and your head in line with your back so that your eyes are looking down. Keep your back straight and legs bent. Slowly swing your right leg back and lift your right foot towards the ceiling until your thigh is parallel to the ground. Hold for one second, and then return to the starting position. Do one set with your right leg, then switch and repeat with your left.

Lying inner-leg lift

Lie on your left side, resting your head on your upper arm, and place your right hand on the floor in front of your chest for support. With your bottom leg fully extended, bend the knee of your top leg and place that leg in front of your other knee. Slowly raise your bottom leg as comfortably as possible, hold for a second, and then slowly lower it. Do one set with your left leg, then switch and repeat with your right.

—Javene Skyers