Trimming your hips is a popular workout. Hip exercises can build tone and definition so your body looks trimmer, leaner and longer. To improve strength and definition in your hips and to get rid of excess fat, a number of exercises are available that target your hips.
Squats
Squats target your butt, hips and quadriceps, and will help trim excess weight from your hips. To perform squats, stand with feet hip-width apart, holding dumbbells if you want. Then tighten your abs and keep your back straight. If you are using dumbbells, place one in each hand above each shoulder, with your palms facing in. Next, lower your body into a squat, placing your weight on your heels and pushing your hips backward. Stop when your knees reach a 90-degree angle. Then drive your heels into the ground and push yourself up to a standing position. Repeat.
Contralateral Limb Raises
This exercise will help build your core muscles, back, butt and hips. By strengthening your hips and building muscle mass, you will be able to trim excess fat from that area. To start, lie on your stomach with your legs extended outward. Then flex your ankles away from your shins and stretch your arms over your head with your palms facing in. Next, exhale and tighten your core muscles to stabilize yourself. Slowly raise your right arm 1 to 2 inches off the floor while simultaneously extending your left leg, lifting it a few inches off the floor. Hold the position, staying balanced by using your core muscles. Then inhale and smoothly lower your arm and leg back to the starting position.
Hip Hinge
This exercise helps tone the muscles in your hips to trim off excess fat. It also will give you more flexibility and dexterity. To execute a hip hinge, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold an empty barbell or a long stick (such as a broom handle) behind your head, so it is positioned vertically along your spine. Grasping the bar in one hand at each end, exhale and start bending down, pushing your hips back and your weight into your heels. Keep the bar positioned along your spine throughout the movement. Next, tighten your glutes and push your hips up to return to the starting position.
Side Lunge
This exercise not only trims your hips, but it also works your butt and quads. To carry out a side lunge, stand with your feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips. Tightening your abdominals, keep your back straight and place your weight into your heels. While keeping your left leg still, lift your right leg and step out to the right. Next, place your right leg firmly on the floor and begin bending down to the side, pressing your hips back while simultaneously shifting your weight into your right leg. Extend your left leg fully from the knee. It is important to keep both heels flat on the floor and your weight on your right hip. Exhale slowly and push off with your right leg until you have returned to the original position. Repeat on the other side.
Stability Ball Curl
You will need a stability ball for this exercise, which helps tighten and tone your hips by building muscle tissue. It also strengthens the core muscles of the abdominals. To perform a stability ball curl, lie on the floor with your heels positioned on top of a stability ball. Then extend your arms into a T position. Next, walk the ball closer in toward your body. Squeezing your glutes, lift your body off the ground until it forms a straight line between your shoulders and knees. Pause briefly and return to the floor.
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