Dimpled, rough-looking skin is the product of cellulite—trapped fat that generally appears on the legs. Most cellulite treatments that advertise remarkable results don't live up to their claims, according to the Mayo Clinic's website. If you have cellulite, back fat or a combination of the two, you can seek weight loss through diet and exercise. The best exercises involve building leg and back muscles, and burning fat.
Full Body Cardio
Full body cardio works your legs and back at the same time. Not only does it burn calories and promote weight loss, but it also helps tone the leg and back muscles. Elliptical training, rowing, swimming, kickboxing and versa climbing are examples. For best results, do cardio three to four days a week for at least 45 minutes.
Dead Lifts
Dead lifts work the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and lower back at the same time. After loading a barbell with weight and placing it in the floor, stand behind it with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and bend your knees to lower your body. Keeping your back straight and core tight, grab the bar with a shoulder-width grip and lift it off the floor as you come to a standing position. Let the bar rest against your legs for a full second, slowly lower it back down and repeat.
For a variation, perform this exercise one foot at a time and hold dumbbells in your hands. Let your nonworking leg hang in the air behind you.
Straight-Legged Dead Lifts
Straight-legged dead lifts work the glutes and hamstrings, and they place more emphasis on the lower back than the regular dead lift. While holding a barbell in front of your thighs with your hands, bend forward at the waist and lower it toward the floor. Once you feel a strong contraction in your hamstrings, rise back up and squeeze your glutes forcefully. This exercise can also be done with dumbbells and on one foot.
Alternating Arm and Leg Raise
Alternating arm and leg raises work the upper and lower back, shoulders, glutes and hamstrings at the same time. While kneeling on all fours, place your hands directly under your shoulders. Steadily lift your right arm and left leg until they form a straight line and parallel the floor. Lower them back down and repeat with your other side. Alternate back and forth in a steady motion.
Switch Leg Leaps
Switch leg leaps work your glutes, quads and hamstrings, and they also crank up your heart rate. After stacking two to three aerobic steps on each other, place your right foot on top of them and keep your left foot on the ground. Steadily push down with your right foot to lift your body in the air, and then quickly exchange your feet so that your left foot is now on the step. Alternate back and forth in a fast but controlled motion.
Utkatasana
Utkatasana is a yoga exercise also known as chair pose. This works your quads and hamstrings without repetitive motion. While standing with your feet together, extend your arms straight above your head and lower your body by bending your knees. As you do this, push your buttocks back like you were sitting in a chair and hold this position until you feel fatigued. When doing chair pose, keep your back straight and core tight. Ultimately you want to get your thighs parallel to the floor.
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