Fat is attracted to your thighs more easily than other areas of your body, because leg fat may absorb food fats to keep them from overwhelming your body, according to Konstantinos Manolopoulos of Britain's University of Oxford. Unfortunately, attempts to specifically reduce the size of your thighs may result in disappointment unless aerobic exercise is a part of your fitness routine. Consider adding bicycling skating, stair stepping and walking to your daily workout.
Hip Adduction Exercise
Using a resistance tube with handles, slip one end through your left ankle and attach the other to a stationery object. Begin with this leg positioned far away from the other, and slowly move the banded leg across your body in front of the stationery leg. As you feel the resistance, remember to keep your knees straight, your body level and slowly bring the leg back to the starting position. If necessary, place a chair in front of you for balance and support.
Use the Stairs
One of the simplest exercises to benefit your inner and outer thighs is stair climbing. Run up two more more stairs on the balls of your feet to work your thighs and buttocks. New York City personal trainer Dominque Hall recommends 10 minutes of stair climbing three days a week, then adding two or three minutes to your routine about every two weeks afterward.
Ballerina Plies
One of the reasons that ballerinas have firm thighs is because of the number of plies they do in practice. This is similar to a squat exercise, but your thigh muscles are worked instead of your gluteus muscles. The next time you think your thighs are fat, stand in what is known as "second position" in ballet lingo, by placing your feet about 2 feet apart. With toes pointed outward as far as possible and hands on your hips, slowly dip your body toward the floor until your knees are bent to a 90-degree angle. Hold, then slowly return to the beginning. For the greatest benefit, remember to keep your concentration aimed at your inner thighs.
Leg Lifts
Leg lifts can benefit inner and outer thighs, depending on which way you lift your leg, and they are especially beneficial when a light ankle weight is used for extra resistance. Both exercises begin by laying on your side with your head on your hand for support. For an inner thigh leg lift, stack your legs on top of each other, then bend your top leg at a 90-degree angle and bring it in front of your bottom leg. With the arch of your flexed foot facing the sky, slowly lift your bottom leg up off the ground. Hold the position, then return to the beginning.
An outer thigh leg lift begins in the same way, but your top leg is slowly lifted toward the sky, held for a second or two, then slowly lowered to the starting position.
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