Bodybuilding, Weight Loss

Hi there,

The text book answer to your question would be that it is not possible to "spot reduce" fat from an area, but I believe that since glycogen (the energy used to fire each muscle) is specific to the muscle it is working (i.e. if your legs are tired, they can't "borrow" some energy from your arms, for example)that a degree of spot reduction must be possible.

I'd say that the first thing you should be doing is ensuring you are engaging your whole core - it's a brace, as if you are preparing for someone to punch you in the stomach... I understand that in boxing training exercises such as having a ball dropped on to your stomach are/were used to help you learn to engage your core! A full brace will engage the middle of your lower back, and all round the front of your stomach as well - like a corset holding your inners in place.

From what you've said, I'd say the best thing for you to do is some leg exercises with medicine ball patterns to encourage your core to work super hard.

Try a lunge with rotation, which is exactly what it says on the tin... Do a lunge, keeping your back absoloutley straight and shoulders back, holding a medicine ball straight out in front of you, rotate from your middle towards the back leg. Make sure your legs don't move, only your middle.

You could also try squat pattens.... Again, holding a medicine ball straight out in front of you, squat down, (keeping neutral spine, stick your bum out, and make sure your knees are always over your middle toe) taking the ball between your knees, then as you stand up, take it overhead. Do 5 of these, then do 5 of each of the following with no rest between: squat down and take the ball to the outside of your left knee, take it across your body to your right shoulder as you stand up. Do the other side too. Then, also each side, hold the MB straight out in front of you, then squat down and twist your middle round to the left, taking the ball with you, and back to centre as you stand up.

Once the techniques are good you can pick up the speed and really target the area you want to!

If you'd like a personal program designed for you, take a look at my website www.fitbiztraining.co.uk/distancetraining.php

Good luck!

Heather
www.fitbiztraining.co.uk

What's "well said"? Heather said she believes that a degree of spot reduction must be possible.

This is totally contrary to the position accepted by exercise scientists and physiologists. On Heather's misguided thinking a tennis player's working arm would have less fat than the non working arm which is not the case.

To repeat what Jamesgt said- there is no such thing as spot reduction. It is irresponsible and misleading to suggest otherwise.