I'm pear-shaped. Will doing squats and lunges make my butt and thighs bigger?
I'm pear-shaped. Will doing squats and lunges make my butt and thighs bigger?
By DM
Q: I'm pear-shaped. Will doing squats and lunges make my butt and thighs bigger?
A: It depends. Daily squats and lunges accompanied by hours of high-intensity lower-body cardio (like biking hills) will build bigger muscles. To downplay your hips and thighs, take a more well-rounded strategy. "Doing squats and lunges two or three times a week with light weights or your body weight can help firm your butt and legs--but it won't be intense enough to build significant muscle," says Jay Dawes, a personal trainer in Edmond, Oklahoma. "Aerobic exercise will help you get leaner all over, including in your lower body." Do 30 to 60 minutes of cardio most days of the week and choose activities that work your entire body, such as rowing or swimming.
© 2008 Weider Publications, LLC, a subsidiary of
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READER COMMENTS
im angel,i have a pear shape body. i do exercises with my treadmill but i noticed that it only makes my hips and butts more bigger so i decided to stop. is it really possible? what else can i do to loose off inches on my thigh,hips and butts?
— Anonymous
i need to lose weight in my butt but what if i gain muscle and it gets bigger
— sally
You won't lose your butt. Doing squats will work to tone and "lift" your butt. Cardio will help also decrease the overall size but who has really ever heard of someone doing so much cardio she lost her backside, get serious and get moving.
— Ashlyn
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