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Expert Q&A

	By Kelli Calabrese Exercise Physiologist

What are the best exercises to do to trim my hips and thighs?

A combination of strength training along with cardio is the best formula. You want to mix up your exercises as well as how they are performed to have the most dramatic changes to your hips. For cardio, you can perform the stair master, use the incline on the treadmill, go forward and backwards on the elliptical trainer or use the step mill for 30 to 60 minutes, varying intensities from moderate to high. It's also great to incorporate anaerobic moves such as jumping on and off a box, jump rope, 30 to 60 minute sprints, and other anaerobic exercises like jump shots, mountain climbers, hurdles, etc. For strength training, you can do traditional exercises like squats, lunges, deadlifts, leg extensions and leg curls. Changing the speed is also something that will challenge the muscles in a new way. If you traditionally go very slow when performing the exercises, consider picking up the pace for the last few reps or doing a break down set where you drop the weight and keep going for another 6 to 10 reps.

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