Hamstring Exercises To Reduce Cellulite

Cellulite is deposits of fat just below the surface of the skin. It gives skin a dimply or orange peel texture. When collagen, a tough protein in your body that connects fat to your skin, stretches, pulls tight or comes apart, cellulite happens. Weight gain, dehydration, diet and genetics all influence cellulite. MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health resource, reports no cure for cellulite, but advocates eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables and fiber and proper hydration combined with muscle toning exercises to help firm your hamstrings and reduce cellulite.

Stability Ball Hamstring Curls

Stability ball hamstring curls tighten and tone the back of your thighs while building strength in your lower back and abdominal region. Doing this exercise on a an unstable ball recruits more muscle fibers than when you do machine hamstring curls, therefore burning more calories. Lie supine on a mat and position the ball under your calves and feet, digging your heels into it. Contract your stomach muscles and lift your back and hips off off the ground. In the correct position, your body will form a straight line. Curl your feet, and the ball, toward your hamstrings. Right before the ball touches your hamstrings, extend your legs to straight and repeat until you complete your desired number of stability ball curls.

Standing Leg Curl

The standing leg curl requires minimal equipment, making it an easy exercise to do while traveling or in the comfort of your home. You will need either a rolled exercise mat or a rolled towel to do this exercise. Stand up and position your feet next to each other. Lift your right foot off of the ground, bend your right knee slightly and place the mat behind your right knee, squeezing your leg muscles to hold it in place. Point your right toes away from you and lift your foot behind you, parallel to the floor. Clasp your hands together, straighten your arms and lift them to shoulder level. Push your right knee six inches behind you, return it to the start position and repeat your desired number of hamstring pulses. Place the towel behind your left knee and do the same with your left leg.

Plie Combination

This plie combination strengthens and tones your hamstrings while shaping your hips, glutes and inner thighs. Stand up straight, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width and turn your toes out 45 degrees. Straighten your arms and lift them in front of your body, parallel to the floor. Stick your glutes out behind you and tighten your abdominal muscles. Lower your glutes toward the ground, stopping when your hamstrings are parallel to the floor. Push up through your heels and lift your hips three inches. Lower and repeat 15 times. Finally, hold in the lowered position for 30 seconds, then push up through your heels to return to standing.