How To Get Rid Of Cellulite On Your Legs

Health

5 Exercises to Get Rid of Cellulite

Terrified of bathing suit season? Try this workout to tone up your legs just in time for summer.

Terrified of bathing suit season? Blast away cellulite with the right exercises and nutrition. Photograph courtesy of iStock.

So here's the good news about cellulite: You are not alone in the fight against cottage cheese. Tons of people have it–yes, even skinny people.

The bad news: Cellulite is not easy to get rid of, no matter how many "miracle" creams or treatments you try to hide dimpled hips and thighs. Cellulite is caused by fat deposits that distort the skin's connective tissues, which causes the unfortunate orange-peel look.

The best way to blast away cellulite? Good dietary and exercise habits, of course. "You can always trick the body into becoming a fat-burning machine with some simple exercise and nutrition tips," says local personal trainer Dell Jeanty of Dell Fitness.

Jeanty says a combination of strength training and aerobic exercise can help build muscle and increase fat burning, in turn improving your skin and muscle tone and reducing the appearance of cellulite. Plus, going easy on carb-heavy, sugary meals and drinking lots of water to reduce fluid retention are key.

To get started just in time for bathing suit season, we asked Jeanty and Balance Gym's Graham King to share five of the top exercises to target areas that often fall prey to cellulite. But remember, King says, patience is key: "Cellulite didn't appear in a week, and it won't go away in a week."

1) Around-the-Clock Lunges
Muscles worked: Glutes, hamstrings, quads, inner and outer thighs
Reps: 3 sets of 15

With your hands on your hips, lunge forward with your right foot to the 12 o'clock position. Return to standing position, then lunge to the right to the 3 o'clock position. Return to standing position, then lunge backward to the 6 o'clock position. Then lunge to the side, reaching your right leg to the 8 or 9 o'clock position. Switch legs and repeat. Click here to watch a video.

2) Goblet Squats
Muscles worked: Glutes, hamstrings, quads, inner and outer thighs
Reps: 3 sets of 20

Hold something heavy to your chest and squat. King says the object should be heavier than your kid, purse, or dog. Click here to watch a video.

3) Single-Leg Romanian Deadlifts
Muscles Worked: Hamstrings
Reps: 3 sets of 20

From a standing position, hold a 5- to 20-pound weight in your left hand while keeping your left leg off the ground. Keeping your back and knee straight, reach down to your right foot. Your left leg should automatically go back. Stand back up and repeat. Click here to watch a video.

4) Burpees
Muscles Worked: Full body
Reps: 3 sets of 15

We all know burpees are one of the ultimate calorie-burning, full-body exercises, so of course our trainers recommend it. The jump, squat, and pushup combo always does the job. Click here to watch a video on how to do one properly.

5) Single-Leg Supine Hip Extension
Muscles worked: Glutes
Reps: 3 sets of 15

Lie on your back with your arms out to the side, right knee bent, and left leg straight. Raise the left leg a few inches off the floor. Lift it until it's in line with your right thigh and raise your hips upward, forming a straight line from the shoulders to the knees. Pause, then lower to starting position. Do one set, then switch legs and repeat. Click here to watch a video.