You’ve tried everything to get rid of cellulite: running, swimming, cycling, aqua aerobics. But endurance sports just aren’t your thing. Jogging bores you to tears and lap swimming leaves you cold… What if HIIT was the answer? Energetic and intense, it could become your new go-to weapon against cellulite. Let’s take a closer look at this explosive discipline!
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What is HIIT?
HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, is a workout programme that prioritises effort intensity over duration — the very opposite of endurance training. It’s structured around short sessions alternating between bursts of exercise lasting just a few seconds and equally brief rest periods. The principles of HIIT can be applied to a range of sports (running, cycling, boxing). In practice, though, HIIT tends to bring to mind workouts that blend fitness, cardio and strength training — Crossfit, for example, is built on HIIT principles.
Benefits of HIIT
1- Building muscle and burning fat
HIIT places significant demands on the body’s energy systems. Traditional cardio is an aerobic activity, whereas HIIT is anaerobic. What does that mean in practice? It’s quite simple: the intensity of HIIT is such that the body draws on large amounts of oxygen, muscle glycogen (the muscles’ carbohydrate reserves) and fat to fuel each effort. Pushed to its limits, the body builds more muscle mass and burns adipose tissue — and it does so quickly.
What does this mean for cellulite? It’s bad news for those dimples. Since cellulite results from fat overload in the adipocytes, the energy demands of HIIT rapidly put them under pressure. As the adipocytes are emptied of their contents, they return to a more normal size and structure. Cellulite visibly diminishes — especially when it’s of the adipose or fibrous type.
2- Long-lasting effects
One of HIIT’s greatest strengths is undoubtedly its ability to keep working long after you’ve finished training. This programme is the undisputed champion of the Afterburn Effect. What does that mean? The benefits of a 30-minute HIIT session can be felt for up to 24 hours afterwards! The body continues to burn calories post-workout, and this effect is amplified to its maximum with HIIT, which places exceptionally high demands on oxygen and energy. The body, running in “overdrive”, needs more time to rebalance — clearing waste products, re-oxygenating properly and restoring optimal muscle condition.
The knock-on effect on cellulite is significant: to eliminate excess toxins (fat, lactic acid, carbon dioxide…) and re-oxygenate and rehydrate the body, the venous and lymphatic network kicks into high gear for hours on end. Cellulite — and water retention cellulite in particular — gradually fades as the body’s vital fluids do their work at full capacity.
3- Fast anti-cellulite results with HIIT
Want to tackle your cellulite in record time? And are you naturally high-energy, fiery by nature and always on the go? HIIT was made for you. After around two months of regular practice — up to three sessions per week — you’ll notice real changes in your silhouette and a visible reduction in cellulite. Orange-peel skin will be noticeably smoother, and your body will have regained a firmness like never before.
Where can you do HIIT?
You can absolutely practise HIIT at your gym — the discipline has become a staple (Grit, Bootcamp, Crossfit). But it’s also entirely possible to do interval training anywhere: at home or even outdoors!
You’ll find all kinds of tutorials online to guide you. But here are a few exercises to get you started!
HIIT Running
Fancy a quick HIIT session outdoors?
- Sprint for 20 seconds.
- Slow right down for 10 seconds and walk.
- Sprint again for 20 seconds.
- Walk for 10 seconds.
- Repeat these intervals for 20 minutes.
High knees
A stationary running exercise, excellent for cellulite on the thighs, buttocks and stomach.
- Stand upright with your feet hip-width apart and arms at your sides.
- Lift one knee as high as possible, as if running on the spot, then lower your foot back to the ground.
- Lift the other knee to the same height, then lower your foot.
- With each knee lift, swing your arms as if you were running. The arm bent forward is opposite to the raised knee. The arm bent back is opposite to the extended leg.
- Start with 3 sets of 20 seconds, with 10-second rest periods in between, then gradually increase to 5 sets, then 7.
Jumping jacks
Hips freed from cellulite, love handles gone and a sculpted waist — all thanks to this exercise!
- Stand upright with your arms at your sides, then jump while simultaneously spreading your legs and raising your arms until your hands meet above your head.
- Land in this position.
- Jump again, bringing your legs together and lowering your arms to return to the starting position.
- Start with 3 sets of 20 seconds, with 10-second rest periods in between, then gradually increase to 5 sets, then 7.
How to maximise your HIIT session’s anti-cellulite results?
Why not finish your workout with a massage? It will not only enhance the anti-cellulite benefits of HIIT, but also support your muscle recovery. And what better way to do it than with a palper-rouler massage? Our cupping devices let you enjoy all the benefits of palper-rouler from the comfort of home.
- The Cellulite Cupping Cup, gentle and wonderfully easy to use, helps further stimulate fat release through its suction effect.
- The EMS Cupping Cup, meanwhile, goes a step further — in addition to targeting cellulite, it harnesses the benefits of electrostimulation: supporting muscle recovery and stimulating the venous and lymphatic network to boost drainage. Its automatic action makes it incredibly convenient!
After a programme like this, cellulite won’t stand a chance!