If you’ve been exhausting yourself with cardio in the hope of banishing your orange peel skin, it’s time to stop! Strength training is far more effective for getting rid of cellulite. Here’s why — and our pick of the best fitness exercises you can do at home.
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Why is strength training ideal for fighting cellulite?
Cardio workouts are great if you’re looking to lose weight. However, during cardio, your body draws energy from easily accessible fat stores. Cellulite, on the other hand, is made up of fat that is stored deep beneath the skin and much harder to shift. To release that fat and smooth out your orange peel skin, you need an intense, targeted activity — like strength training! When you choose resistance work, your body produces large amounts of adrenaline. This hormone has the ability to break down the fatty deposits responsible for cellulite. Practised regularly, strength training can help you regain smoother, firmer skin.
The best anti-cellulite exercises to do at home
All you need for these exercises is a yoga mat! You can easily fit them into your routine at home.
If you want to ramp up the intensity and see results faster, feel free to add a resistance band or weights.
Lunges
Stand tall and take a big step forward with your right leg. Bend both knees, keeping your right knee directly above your ankle, your back straight, and your left knee as close to the floor as possible. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat. Work one leg, then switch to the other.
Single-leg bridges
Lie on your back, bend your right leg and extend your arms along your sides. Engage your core and push through your glutes to lift your hips, raising your left leg at the same time. Your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your left foot. Return to the starting position and repeat, then switch sides.
Jump squats
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and lower into a squat as if you were about to sit down. Your knees should not go past your toes, your weight should be in your heels, and your back should stay straight. Lower until your thighs are parallel to the floor, then drive up explosively into a jump, keeping your core tight, and land back into the squat position.
Straight-leg extensions
Start on all fours on your mat, then extend your right leg straight back with your foot pointing toward the ceiling. Slowly bring it back down without letting it touch the floor, then repeat the movement. Switch legs. Keep your back flat throughout the exercise.
Squats: a must-have anti-cellulite fitness exercise
It bears repeating — squats are one of the most effective exercises for toning your figure and firming your skin. For this move, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly turned out. Perform 50 hip lowering movements (as if sitting down on a chair), then rise slowly while engaging your core. Keep your back straight and your weight in your heels. Aim to do this squat series several times a week to target cellulite on the legs and stomach.
The wall sit: simple and effective
A true classic for tackling cellulite, especially on the thighs: stand against a wall and slide down until your knees are bent at a right angle, thighs parallel to the floor — as if sitting on an invisible chair. Hold for 2 minutes. To make it more challenging, lift one leg, then the other, from the same starting position.
Lateral leg raises
An excellent exercise for the abductors, adductors and obliques — and a real game-changer for those dealing with cellulite on the thighs and love handles.
Lie on your side, propped up on your elbow, body perfectly aligned and feet together. Raise your top leg as high as you can while keeping your body in line and your bottom leg on the floor. Lower slowly. For those who are more advanced, add small rotations with the raised leg before bringing it back down.
Then move on to a second variation. Lie on your side, propped up on your elbow. Keep your top leg bent and crossed over, foot flat on the floor — you can hold your ankle with your hand. Lift the bottom leg as high as possible, then exhale as you lower it back to the floor.
For both exercises, aim for 3 sets of 15 raises on each side. This simple routine should help you sculpt firm, toned thighs and hips, free from cellulite!
Hip thrusts
This exercise is similar to the bridge, but places greater emphasis on the glutes and core.
Sit on the floor with your glutes, feet and hands on the ground, knees bent and arms behind you. Push your hips upward, squeezing your glutes as you rise. Hold the position for a few seconds, then slowly lower back down.
Do 10 hip thrusts. Rest for 30 seconds. Repeat for 3 sets. This pushing movement is excellent for targeting cellulite on the glutes, thighs and stomach.
Downward dog and pigeon pose: yoga-inspired moves!
These two poses, inspired by yoga, are perfect for targeting cellulite on the legs and thighs, as they stimulate circulation.
Start on all fours, hands, knees and feet on the floor, back flat and head in line with your spine. On an inhale, straighten your arms and legs, pushing your hips up toward the ceiling. Ideally, press your feet flat on the floor — if that’s not possible, stay on your toes. Hold downward dog for 5 breaths, keeping your back straight and your neck relaxed. On your last exhale, lower down and bring one knee forward into a bent position, while the other leg stays extended behind you on the floor. Lower your torso over your bent leg, arms stretched out in front on the floor. Breathe deeply and hold pigeon pose for 5 breaths. Return to all fours, repeat both poses, then switch legs.
When it comes down to it, smoothing out those stubborn dimples doesn’t have to be complicated — all it takes is a good dose of motivation to get these fitness exercises done! After a few weeks of anti-cellulite workouts (and a balanced diet — we can’t say it enough), you’ll love what you see in the mirror. For the best results, don’t forget to use your Cellublue Cup alongside your workout routine — it will help you target every last trace of cellulite, wherever it may be.
