A strange rumour has been doing the rounds: physical activity might have a downside — making cellulite more visible. Yes, you read that right! Exercise is supposedly responsible for more noticeable cellulite. Fact or fiction? We tell you everything!
What effect does exercise have on cellulite?
It is well established that regular physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle. The benefits of exercise are numerous, for body and mind alike. It helps you to:
- Look after your heart
- Take care of your back and joints
- Stay fit day to day
- Manage stress better
- Improve sleep quality
- Feel good in body and mind
And what about its effects on cellulite? Exercise deserves its place in an anti-cellulite routine, let’s be clear about that!
1- Exercise works your whole body
When you engage in physical activity, your muscles and organs work at full capacity. To keep them functioning properly, they need energy, oxygen and water. It is the blood that carries and delivers essential nutrients to every muscle and organ.
2- Exercise engages the ‘venous pump’
When you walk, cycle or swim, your calf muscles contract and help blood return to the heart through the network of veins in your legs: this is known as the ‘venous pump’. If you often have heavy legs, regular exercise is a good habit to get into. If the discomfort persists, speak to your GP.
3- Exercise requires energy
Exercise requires energy: during physical activity, your body needs a supply of energy to keep up with the effort. The adipocytes, namely the fat cells found in the lower layers of the skin, are the very same cells that are implicated in cellulite. Their role is to store fat so the body never runs short. Cellulite appears when these cells become ‘overloaded’ with fat and swell. To find out more about these cells, read our article on what is known as lipolysis.
4- Exercise helps you cope with stress and sleep better
Stress, poor sleep, loss of skin firmness: all of these factors are often associated with cellulite and orange-peel skin. Yet exercise:
- helps release tension and manage stress better
- promotes better-quality sleep
- helps you feel more energised, in body and mind
Why do some people think exercise makes cellulite worse?
Some dedicated sportswomen notice that their cellulite remains just as visible — or even more so. The association is immediate: Exercise = Cellulite. Disheartened, they lose not only the pleasure of being active, but also their self-confidence, feeling powerless against their dimples.
But what actually causes exercise to make cellulite more visible? Two reasons explain this phenomenon.
1- Insufficient hydration
Some people believe that to reduce their cellulite, they need to ‘dry out’ their body. This is especially true for those who suffer from water retention, the primary cause of aqueous cellulite, which is often associated with other types of cellulite. So they push themselves to exercise without drinking enough, thinking this will help flush out the water stored in their tissues. Big mistake! Drinking too little doesn’t help, quite the opposite: a body that is short of water doesn’t work as well, and orange-peel skin is no less visible for it. So it’s best to drink regularly, before, during and after exercise. Your muscles will thank you, and it’s a good habit whether you have cellulite or not.
2- The wrong type of exercise
The choice of sport can play a role in how visible cellulite appears, especially when it is aqueous. Certain high-impact sports are best avoided when you often have heavy legs: tennis, boxing, running, alpine skiing and basketball, for example. Why? Because they are abrupt and involve repeated stomping, jumping, impacts, and frequent starts and stops. As a result, they put a lot of strain on the legs: if you feel any discomfort, it is best to switch to gentler sports.
Cellulite despite exercise and a balanced diet: what can you do?
You exercise, you eat a balanced diet, and yet your cellulite is still visible, especially on your thighs? Cellulite depends on several factors. There’s stress, poor sleep and loss of skin firmness. There’s also hydration and the type of exercise you choose, as we saw above.
Before you lose heart, take stock. Are you drinking enough before, during and after exercise? Is your sport suited to your type of cellulite? Remember to mix up your activities and keep them regular. You can also treat yourself to a little pampering, for example with a massage oil.
Exercise: an ally to keep in your routine
As you will have gathered, the idea that exercise makes cellulite worse is a myth! In the specific cases mentioned above, it can accentuate the orange-peel effect. But the vast majority of the time, it deserves its place in your daily life!
A few tips for making the most of exercise:
- To look after your figure, think about endurance sports. You have plenty of options: cycling, swimming, Nordic walking, cross-country skiing, rollerblading, the cross trainer.
- If you often have heavy legs: choose gentle sports, with a special mention for water sports. You’re spoilt for choice: swimming, aqua aerobics, aqua cycling.
- Remember to hydrate before, during and after your workout. Your body needs water to work properly, all the more so when you sweat. One golden rule: drink up!
- Don’t overlook gentler activities, such as Pilates or yoga. They gently work muscles that are rarely used.
- Mix up your activities and sports. Ideally, aim for 3 workout sessions per week, complemented by daily walking and fun activities (games, dancing). Moving then becomes a real pleasure, and that’s what will help you stick with it in the long run!
Frequently asked questions
What is the best exercise for cellulite on the thighs?
You can choose an endurance sport such as cycling, swimming, Nordic walking, cross-country skiing, rollerblading or the cross trainer. If your cellulite tends to be aqueous, opt for gentle sports, especially water-based ones (swimming, aqua aerobics, aqua cycling). Pilates and yoga are also good options for varying your routine.
Does exercise get rid of cellulite?
Exercise isn’t everything. Cellulite depends on several factors, such as stress, sleep and loss of skin firmness. Good hydration, an activity suited to your type of cellulite and consistency also matter. Exercise remains a habit worth building into an overall healthy lifestyle.
Why does my cellulite seem worse the more I exercise?
Two reasons are often to blame. The first is not drinking enough during exercise. The second is a high-impact activity (running, tennis, boxing, etc.), which isn’t well suited to aqueous cellulite. Review these two points, covered in detail above. If you have any discomfort or pain in your legs, ask your GP for advice.
How can I reduce cellulite on my thighs with exercise?
Ideally, aim for 3 workout sessions a week, preferably endurance-based. Add some daily walking and fun activities such as dancing. Remember to drink before, during and after exercise, and pay attention to the quality of your sleep and your stress levels.
Related articles
- Exercise Bike & Cellulite: Does It Really Work?
- How many times a week should you exercise to fight cellulite?
- Why can cellulite get worse at menopause?
Useful categories: Causes of Cellulite, All About Cellulite.
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