Stretch marks most often occur during pregnancy or with rapid weight gain. They generally occur on your abdomen, hips, thighs or buttocks, as the skin is stretched thin, losing its elasticity and leaving lines of loose skin. However, by exercising and keeping hydrated, you can strengthen the muscles under the skin, reducing and firming the appearance of your stretch marks.
Abdominal Exercises
The most effective exercise to reduce the appearance of stretch marks on your stomach is the abdominal crunch. To perform, lie on your back with your knees bent. Place your hands behind your head and look up, keeping your chin off your chest. Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth to take pressure off your neck, and curl your ribcage toward your pelvis.
The medicine ball twist is another exercise to firm your abdominal muscles. Sit on the floor with your knees bent and dig your heels into the floor. While looking straight ahead, lean back about 45 degrees, hold the medicine ball and twist to the right and left.
Hip Exercises
The standing side kick is a great way to strengthen your hips and firm your stretch marks. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, placing your hands on your hips to keep your balance. Extend your left leg to the side and bring it up to hip level, keeping your inner thigh parallel to the floor.
The hip raise is another helpful exercise. Lie on your back and bend your knees, keeping your feet flat on the floor. Lift your hips off the floor and extend your right leg, pointing your toes away from your body.
Buttocks Exercises
Another targeted place for stretch marks to occur is the buttocks. To perform the leg raise, get on your hands and knees. Gaze a few inches in front of you, lifting your leg behind, bringing your heel toward the ceiling.
The side jump is another exercise to firm stretch marks. To keep your balance, stand with your hands on your hips. Lift your left leg up and hop a few feet to your right, and then repeat to the left side. Switch legs.
Thigh Exercises
To perform the squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with your hands on your hips. Sit like you are going to sit down in a chair, putting pressure through your heels. Hold for three seconds and then repeat. Make sure your knees do not go in front of your toes.
To perform the hamstring curl, lie on your back. Place the backs of your heels on top of the stability ball with your legs straight. Lift your hips off the floor and curl the ball toward your buttocks.
