The ideal body doesn’t exist, and beauty comes in many forms. Yet some slimming goals refuse to fade away. The thigh gap is one of them — from the 2010s onwards, it became a widely sought-after standard of slimness. But what exactly is it? And is the thigh gap achievable for every woman?
What is the thigh gap?
The thigh gap, literally “the space between the thighs“, refers to the gap between the thighs when standing with feet together. It is primarily determined by genetics and therefore depends on the body’s innate structure. Women who naturally have one tend to be either naturally slim or have wider hips and slender thighs.
In the 2010s, the thigh gap became the ultimate beauty and slimming goal for many women, especially teenagers. The rise of social media and the images promoted by the press tended to normalise this body type. The trend also led to serious consequences among young women who, in pursuit of this ideal, turned to extreme diets, and even developed eating disorders.
Can every woman achieve a wide thigh gap?
The answer is no — not without starving yourself. Every woman has a unique body shape, shaped by her genetic heritage. If the women in your family naturally have fuller thighs and you’ve inherited that trait, achieving a wide thigh gap will be very difficult. The same applies to women with narrow hips: their thighs will naturally sit closer together, and pushing for that gap could mean putting their health at risk. It’s far better to make peace with your body as it is, rather than chasing an unattainable goal.
It’s also worth noting that the thigh gap isn’t just about weight: female hormones also play a role. From adolescence through to menopause, women produce oestrogen and progesterone. And these hormones encourage fat storage in preparation for a potential pregnancy, as well as water retention. Both of these factors tend to add volume to the lower body — hips, buttocks and thighs. In this context, a wide thigh gap is simply not realistic for most women.
The numbers speak for themselves: 40% of French women wear a size 44 or above, and the most common trouser size is a 40. The thigh gap combined with waif-like legs is far from the norm. That said, it is possible, through healthy lifestyle habits and targeted massage, to slim and firm the inner thighs. Even without a wide thigh gap, you can achieve more toned, sculpted thighs.
How to tone the inner thighs?
1- The right exercise routine
To build tone in the inner thighs and work towards a thigh gap, certain exercises are particularly effective as they target the adductors.
Cossack squats
A variation on the classic squat, performed as follows:
- Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart. Keep your arms by your sides.
- On the inhale, lower into a squat to the left side, keeping your right leg straight. Bring your arms up in front of your chest and lean your torso slightly forward to maintain balance.
- On the exhale, push back up through your left leg.
- Repeat on the other side (squat to the right, left leg extended).
- Complete 2 to 4 sets of 20 squats.
Lunges
- Start standing with feet hip-width apart, head and back straight.
- On the inhale, step forward with your right leg, shifting your weight onto it. Bend the right knee until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Your left leg is behind you, slightly bent, with the left knee close to the ground. Keep your back straight throughout.
- On the exhale, push back up through your right thigh.
- Repeat 10 times, then switch sides.
- Complete 2 to 4 sets of 20 lunges.
Clamshell with resistance band
Using a resistance band increases the intensity of the exercise.
- Lie on your side with your knees bent, balancing on your forearm.
- Place the resistance band around your thighs.
- On the inhale, lift your top knee to open your thighs.
- On the exhale, lower the knee back down without letting it touch the other leg, keeping the adductors under tension.
- Repeat 10 times, then switch sides.
- Complete 2 to 4 sets of 20 repetitions.
2- The right nutrition
Eating a healthy, balanced diet won’t automatically give you a wide thigh gap, but it will make a real difference, as fat storage in the thigh area will be reduced. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- choose whole, unprocessed foods and cook from scratch as much as possible;
- eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats in moderation, and complex carbohydrates with a low GI;
- avoid snacking and high-calorie foods (fatty, salty, sugary… you know the ones!);
- drink plenty of water, herbal teas and infusions to help drain the body and prevent water retention, which can add volume to the thighs.
3- The right treatments
Finally, to get closer to your thigh gap goal, targeted massages and treatments are a highly effective option. Our Cellublue thigh-focused routine is ideal for firming the inner thighs. Here’s how:
- every morning, apply our Cryo Slimming Gel to your thighs, focusing on the inner area. Enriched with caffeine and Oriental lotus, it helps reduce localised fat deposits;
- every evening, apply our Night Slimming Cream using small circular movements. Its unique formula with fucus seaweed works throughout the night for gradual fat release;
- every day, massage your thighs with our Slimming Device. Its three heads help break down fat and, above all, reshape your silhouette — perfect when you’re working towards a thigh gap.
