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? Here’s what you need to know: what it means, where the trend came from, the role of genetics and hormones, and tips on exercise, nutrition and skincare for looking after your inner thighs.
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.
Thigh gap or “tight gap”: which spelling is right?
The correct term is thigh gap, from the word “thigh”. Even so, it’s often spelt “tight gap” or “thight gap”. These misspellings all refer to the same thing: the visible space between a woman’s thighs when she stands with her feet together.
What does the gap between a woman’s thighs mean?
The space between a woman’s thighs mainly reflects her body shape. It depends above all on genetics: the width of the pelvis, the shape of the hips and how slender the thighs naturally are. The thigh gap isn’t just about weight, either. Having this gap, or not having one, says nothing about how beautiful a figure is, nor about the worth of the woman it belongs to. It shouldn’t be used as a yardstick for judging your own body.
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 difficult to achieve.
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, good lifestyle habits, suitable physical activity and targeted massage can help you look after the inner thighs, rather than chasing a wide thigh gap at all costs.
How to tone the inner thighs?
1- The right exercise routine
To work the muscles of the inner thighs, certain exercises are particularly worthwhile, 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, half 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 necessarily give you a wide thigh gap, but it’s part of good everyday habits. To find out more, you can also read our article on fat storage in the thigh area. 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 water, tea and herbal teas regularly, spreading them out throughout the day.
3- The right treatments
Finally, targeted massages and treatments can complement this routine. Our Cellublue thigh-focused routine is designed for looking after the inner thighs. Here’s how:
- every morning, apply our Cryo Slimming Gel to your thighs, focusing on the inner area. It’s enriched with caffeine and Oriental lotus;
- every evening, apply our Night Slimming Cream using small circular movements. Its formula contains fucus seaweed;
- every day, massage your thighs with our Slimming Device, which features three massage heads, to complete your skincare routine.
The cordless massager: 2 900 rotations per minute to stimulate your skin
- A deep mechanical massage: rotations and vibrations, up to 2 900 turns per minute, knead the skin on your thighs, stomach, arms and bottom
- 2 complementary heads: the ball head kneads deep down, then the wave head smooths and tones the surface
- 5 intensity levels on a touchscreen, a blue light, cordless and quiet
Frequently asked questions
What is a thigh gap?
A thigh gap is the visible space between the thighs when you stand with your feet together.
How do you get a thigh gap?
It all depends on your body shape: if you have narrow hips or naturally fuller thighs, a wide thigh gap will be difficult to achieve. Exercises that target the adductors are a way to work the muscles of the inner thighs. A balanced diet and the targeted skincare described above can complement these exercises.
Why do some women not have a thigh gap?
Every woman has her own body shape, inherited from her family, and bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Not having a thigh gap is therefore completely normal.
Do you need a strict diet to get a thigh gap?
No. The pursuit of the thigh gap has pushed some young women towards extreme diets, putting their health at risk. A balanced diet and making peace with your body are far better options. If you have any concerns about your diet, speak to your GP or another medical professional.
Related articles
- How to slim down your thighs?
- Cellublue Thigh Routine: Step-by-Step Care
- How to slim your thighs during pregnancy?
Useful categories: Slimming the Thighs, Slimming by Body Area.
