• Give a Gift
  • Customer Service
  • Promotions
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Win
  • Games

May 7, 2007

Splurge vs. Steal: Fat Busters

When it comes to shrinking trouble spots, most plastic surgeons say it's hard to top liposuction. But for a less invasive (and less expensive) option, try these five fat-melting moves. Top trainers swear by their results rival surgery.

Share

Fat Busters

Photo Credit: Greg Delves

Special Offer

Trouble spot #1: Lower stomach
Splurge: $2,500-$5,500
Steal: Cardio/reverse crunches
Because you need to lose the layer of fat over your belly in addition to tightening the muscles in your lower abdomen to see results, crunches alone will not do the trick, says Sydney Foster, a personal trainer and nutritionist at The Sports Club/LA in New York City. Her favorite fat-burning exercises? Running outdoors or stepping on the "gauntlet" machine for 30 minutes, three times a week. (Foster prefers the gauntlet's rolling steps to a traditional stepper's lever-style ones because they're more challenging ‑- and cheat-proof.) Then, for the reverse crunches, lie flat on your back with your arms at your sides and feet in the air. Lift your butt off the floor; slowly lower. Repeat 25 times. Do four sets, resting for 30 seconds in between. Aim to do the crunches every time you do the cardio.

Trouble spot #2: Backs of arms
Splurge: $2,000-$5,500
Steal: Tricep dips
Start by sitting on a chair with your arms by your sides, palms on the seat, fingers facing forward, says Foster. Now, slide your butt forward off the chair, bend your elbows and lower your body until your arms are at a 90-degree angle. Push back up. Repeat the move 15 times, then do two more sets, resting for 30 seconds in between. For best results, do the dips at least three times a week.
Tip: To make the move more challenging, keep your legs board-straight while lowering and lifting your body, and go as slowly as possible.


Share
Connect with Marie Claire:
Advertisement
daily giveaway
Silver Feather Earrings from Snapette

Silver Feather Earrings from Snapette

enter now
Latest blog entries
Marie Claire On The Go
  • Start receiving the day's headlines from topics you choose and get the latest posts from our bloggers. Sign up for RSS feeds now.

  • Take Marie Claire with you everywhere you go. Our mobile site has the latest 'it' items of the season. Including: Blogs, Hair & Beauty, Nutrition, Health & Fitness, Horoscopes and so much more!

    Here's how:

    1. Start a mobile session on your phone
    2. type m.marieclaire.com into your browser
    3. that's it!

  • In Every Issue:
    The one-stop shop
    for the very best in
    fashion & beauty


    Give a Gift
    Customer Service
    Marie Claire Magazine
horoscopes
  • Sponsored Links
More From Health News and Fitness Trends
girl jumping
Jump For It

The calorie-torching fitness craze that's sweeping the nation isn't just good for you, it's also good clean fun.

Why is Birth Control A Big Deal Again?

Rush Limbaugh calls a Georgetown student a slut for lobbying for contraception. Republican presidential candidates talk about the Pill like it's the Axis of Evil. What is going on here?

The Best of Boutique Fitness

If you're looking to get in shape for spring, look no further: We've rounded up — and tested out — the best boutique workouts around. These are the classes you need to try right now.

post a comment

Special Offer