Saddlebags are a real nuisance — they weigh on our silhouette and our confidence alike! While they can sometimes result from a lack of physical activity or an unbalanced diet, they are above all linked to hormones, which act directly on fat cells. If it’s any comfort, know that they affect the vast majority of women. So how do you go about getting rid of saddlebags to achieve a shapelier bottom and slimmer hips? To say goodbye to these unsightly fat deposits and the cellulite that so often comes with them, there are solutions — and no surgery required! Here are our tips that genuinely work.
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How do saddlebags form?
What we call “saddlebags” is a subcutaneous fat deposit that typically settles on the hips and pelvis (outer thighs and buttocks). These fatty tissues, often congested and accumulated, can quickly impair healthy blood and lymphatic circulation and create dimples visible on the skin’s surface. The fat stored in this area sits deep and stubborn — it’s not what the body draws on first when it needs energy.
Their appearance can be linked to an overly sedentary lifestyle and a diet too high in fat, sugar or salt. That said, we also know that fat storage in this area is strongly linked to hormones. Female hormones encourage fat to accumulate around the hips, buttocks and thighs in preparation for a potential pregnancy. Puberty and hormonal shifts can also trigger saddlebags — even in women who exercise regularly and eat well! Unfair, isn’t it?
1- Massage to reduce saddlebags
Try the renowned pinch-and-roll massage technique to release fat deposits and allow the body to use them as fuel. These massages are the only ones that can:
- Break down deep-seated fat deposits
- Restore healthy blood and lymphatic circulation,
- Drain fat and waste products
- And, ultimately, eliminate cellulite, stored fat and any associated water retention.
However, the pinch-and-roll technique is difficult to replicate correctly by hand — especially on yourself. That’s why, at Cellublue, we developed a cupping method that perfectly replicates the pinch-and-roll. It lets you perform the massage at home, simply, quickly and effectively. Just as effective as a professional salon treatment (and far more affordable!), the pure silicone cup is easy to use to suction away and reduce cellulite.
2- Intense water sports
Water sports such as swimming or aqua cycling are great for slimming down saddlebags. Plan interval-style sessions with changes of pace throughout, which helps burn more energy and eliminate accumulated fat. Ideally, alternate a fast-paced length — with fins, for example — with a slower recovery length. Swimming refines the figure and strengthens the glutes. Water also stimulates microcirculation and helps reshape the silhouette. To target fat stored in the saddlebag area, regular physical activity is key.
If water sports aren’t your thing, you can also try:
- running,
- rollerblading,
- the stepper,
- cycling
- or even skipping rope.
Don’t forget strength training, to deeply tone your muscles and refine your silhouette.
3- Lipomassage
To break down the fat deposits responsible for saddlebags, lipomassage is highly effective. It activates lipolysis (the body’s natural process of releasing stored fat) and intensifies the breakdown of deep fat cells in targeted areas.
Thanks to the effect of high-frequency vibrations and rotations, our Slimming Massager replicates lipomassage and eliminates deep fat deposits. Super easy to use at home to slim, firm and tone the saddlebag area!
4- A more balanced diet
To prevent the body from storing fat in the saddlebag area, the best approach is to stop giving it the opportunity! And the most effective way to do that is to cut out foods that are automatically converted into fat.
So, try to avoid:
- products containing saturated and trans fats,
- products with added sugar,
- overly salty foods and alcohol as they promote water retention.
To reduce saddlebags, adjusting your diet is essential.
It is therefore recommended to:
- Cut back on omega-6, found notably in sunflower or corn oil, in favour of omega-3, which are present in walnuts and rapeseed oil.
- Prioritise fibre to help your body trap and eliminate fats before they settle in the saddlebag area!
- Also opt for proteins and healthy fats, which the body will put to good use rather than store.
5- Targeted exercises to combat saddlebags
Reducing saddlebags means stimulating specific muscles — namely the glutes and abductors (the outer thigh muscles). For this, nothing beats a few targeted exercises. Aim for 2 to 3 home workout sessions per week. Comfortable clothes, a yoga mat, a great playlist — and you’re ready to go!
1- Lateral leg raises
- Lie on your side on the floor, back straight, one leg resting on top of the other.
- Engage your core and lift the top leg, keeping it straight and aligned with your body.
- On the exhale, slowly lower your leg back down.
- Keep a steady pace for 30 seconds, then switch sides.
2- Squats
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
- Keep your back straight and your hands clasped together.
- Hold the squat position for 10 seconds.
- Slowly rise back up and repeat the movement.
- Start with sets of 10 and gradually increase.
3- Grand battements
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and shift your weight onto one leg while keeping your balance.
- Lift the other leg out to the side, keeping it straight. Hold it in the air for a few seconds.
- Slowly lower it back down.
- Keep a steady pace for 30 seconds, then switch sides.
There are plenty of other anti-saddlebag exercises out there. Don’t hesitate to watch videos to help you build the fitness routine that works best for you. Mix things up to keep it interesting — your thighs and glutes will thank you!
6- Slimming treatments to reduce saddlebags
Applying slimming, anti-cellulite or smoothing creams helps tone the skin and improve its appearance. They contain active ingredients that support fat elimination. Discover our Cryo Slimming Thigh Gel which, thanks to its formula combining caffeine and Sacred Lotus, will help you release stored fat, firm the skin and reduce cellulite.
7- A draining cleanse
Could a draining cleanse help you reduce your saddlebags? As mentioned earlier, the build-up of fat in the outer thigh and buttock area can slow down veno-lymphatic circulation in that zone, leading to the formation of dimples. Starting a draining cleanse to eliminate toxins and trapped water in the saddlebag area could be genuinely beneficial for your hip measurements !
- Venotonic plants such as Red Vine or Horse Chestnut are valuable for boosting blood and lymphatic circulation.
- Others, with diuretic properties (Cherry Stalks, Elderberry), can support better water elimination — particularly in cases of increased water retention in the saddlebag area.
- Certain anti-inflammatory plants, such as Rosemary or Meadowsweet may also be beneficial.
- Finally, note that Green Tea is a natural phytoestrogen that helps regulate the discomforts associated with hormonal fluctuations — including the gain of centimetres in the saddlebag area.
A one-month Drainer cleanse could be particularly beneficial if you are prone to water retention and cellulite in the saddlebag area.
This cleanse will help you:
- Drain your body
- Combat water retention
- Support the elimination of waste and toxins
- Cleanse your system to help it function at its best
If you stay consistent and follow these tips diligently, you’ll start to see results in just a few weeks. So — are you starting today?