There are those that nature has endless long legs with shapely muscles. And then there are others, the vast majority, who need six inches of heels and who have made a cross on the denim shorts look and Havaianas way " Gisele Bündchen on vacation in Paraty". The sport arises then like the solution to carve and refine a little strong legs. Yes, but there is sport and sport! The lower limbs have powerful muscles (glutes and quadriceps), which, if they are working in force, will tone up by gaining volume. " This phenomenon is accentuated by the" hormonal injustice "made to women: we always" dry "first of the upper body, and we keep what we call the brown fats, very old, on the hips and legs "Says coach Lucile Woodward *. These fats must coexist with the muscles solicited, it sometimes feels like hard work in the gym ... to be even tighter in our jeans ! "The sport refines the lower body only if it is practiced at high doses ... and provided you submit to a strict regime , as do some American stars," says Lucile. It is therefore better to target the disciplines that are within our reach, which help to draw the muscles, and to exclude all those that may be counterproductive.
Fine legs: cardio sports, do!
These explosive disciplines are perfect because their effect "spring" solicits the hamstrings and adductors, these back and inner muscles that make the sexy leg. To us volleyball, beach volleyball (sport king in Brazil, country of our model, Gisele), beach football, but also trampoline , entrechats and whips of classical dance, or the rope to jump on condition that you stay on tiptoe. "The swimming with fins is also indicated to drain and refine the legs, as well as brisk walking in the city, adding phases of acceleration during which, for example, we climb stairs," said Lucile.
Fine legs: the gym "inflator", do not!
Anyone who believed that aquabiking was their pretty legs insurance can store their swimsuit . "It's all about cycling, and pedaling makes the quadriceps swell," says Lucile. In addition, these new trendy programs take place over a short time (thirty or forty-five minutes), playing on the resistance of the water, which will accentuate the bulge of the thighs. We also forget the step, which, although it is good for venous return, has calves and can be aesthetically deceptive, as well as sports very anchored in the ground with strong impacts , such as tennis, or bodybuilding with heavy loads. The last false friend, Pilates: again, American stars say he owes their ultra tapered legs, but to achieve such a result, you have to practice a lot. "Above all, it is a sport that strengthens the back and the cladding of the abdominal strap, in which we do not work very much the lower limbs," concludes the coach.
Fine legs: good reflexes at home
Give yourself five minutes of gym a day, based on series of squats followed by small jumps. We can add large slits before, a little like yoga, which will accelerate the drainage, or an unstoppable exercise: the chair . We sit down (but without a chair!), With our backs firmly against a wall, and we try to keep as long as possible. Pay attention to what you eat after physical exertion . As there is a tendency to store fat in the thighs, avoid at all costs the trap of after-sport, namely carbohydrates and starchy foods. Instead, make a good plate of legumes (chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils) with cooked vegetables, ratatouille style, it's just as satisfying.
* Author of A dream silhouette, it's smart (Ed Leduc.s), on sale on March 15th.
