As summer approaches many people start to think about getting in shape for vacations, beaches, and warm weather in general. Putting on a bathing suit, wearing shorts or even sleeveless tops can be a concern for many. On a regular basis I will be asked for ways to tone a specific area which brings to mind the age old question - does spot reduction work? Can you target a specific area to get flat abs, toned arms, or sleek legs? The answer is no.
| Spot reduction refers to the thought that if you work a specific muscle group you will decrease the amount of fat in that area. There is no such thing as spot reduction. It is not possible to attain a flat stomach just by performing abdominal exercises alone. The reason for this is that a muscle does not own the fat that surrounds it (truestarhealth.com). Sit-ups can and will strengthen your abdominal muscles, however sit-ups alone will not get rid of the layer of fat that is covering the muscles. In order to lose fat anywhere on your body you need to burn calories by following a program that involves both cardiovascular training and weight training. In doing so, you will decrease fat stores throughout your entire body, including those problem areas. |