Hip Dips: Why You Get Them & Why They're Really Not a Bad Thing
Hip dips (the BS rhyming buzzterm given to those gentle inward curves found below your hips and above your thighs) are the latest body part the internet seems to be making people feel bad about.
According to Google data, the interest in 'hip dips' or 'violin hips' have doubled in a month, as well as being searched 40% more regularly than last year.
So, what's caused this hip dip hype? Quelle surprise, it's mainly social media-based; one of many non-problematic parts of a healthy body, like not having a thigh gap, a thighbrow, those two lower back dimples (... we know, the list is endless), that are highlighted and shamed within the toxic diet and body shaming culture.
Your hip dips may be pronounced or they may be subtle or they may be non-existent to the naked eye, but if you’ve found yourself typing 'how to get rid of hip dips' or 'exercises for hip dips', you are not alone. But, fortunately, you're in the right place now to get some accurate expert advice.
So, before you go trying to switch up your lower body workout or frantically looking for the best exercises for a bigger butt – slowww your roll, sister. We're going to walk you through everything you need to know, with the help of David Wiener, training specialist for the Freeletics fitness app.
What are hip dips?
‘Hip dips are naturally occurring, inward curves,’ says Wiener. Naturally occurring.
What causes hip dips?
‘Hip dips are caused by the shape of your pelvis. Although not everyone will have noticeable hip dips, if reduced to a skeleton, all of us would have an indentation where the hip bone meets the top of the thigh. Hip dips are a normal part of your body’s structure,' he explains. And we'll say it louder for the people in the back: Hip dips are a normal part of your body’s structure.
Are hip dips good or bad?
A common misconception is that hip dips (or a lack of hip dips) are a sign of how healthy you are. However, as we've said, hip dips are associated with the shape of your bones. Something, it won't surprise you to know, cannot be changed.
Because of the variation in pelvis shapes, your hips may look different from someone else's — and that includes your hip dips, too.
Are hip dips normal?
‘Hip dips are not a sign of being healthy, unhealthy, overweight or underweight,’ says Wiener. ‘Although the amount of body fat you have can make hip dips more noticeable and can be the result of having a higher level of muscle mass, it’s important to remember that hip dips are a part of your bone structure and, while you can enhance your body shape through exercise and diet, you cannot change your bone structure.’
So, tempted by any of those 'how to lose hip dips in a week'-type videos? Scroll on, it's just clickbait.
Hip dips vs. love handles
Much higher than hip dips, 'love handles' (see also: muffin top... WHO comes up with these names?), as they're so fondly known, is a term referring to fat located on the sides of the abdomen and are not related to your bone structure. They can be linked to genetics, which dictates where we store fat it in the body.
Is it possible to get rid of hip dips?
While exercising to build muscle mass and lose body fat can help minimise their appearance, it won’t make them completely go away. That's something to make peace with. What you can do is focus on exercises that work multiple lower body muscle groups (like squats and lunges) and sub in isolation exercises (e.g. fire hydrants and clams) where necessary.
However, make sure you focus on strengthening your entire lower body – not just zeroing in on your glutes. There's more to life than hip dips and that's true for your fitness, as well.
Final word: should you worry about hip dips?
In a word: no.
And, in three: no, heck, no.
‘Obsessing over any part of your body, especially those which cannot be changed, is potentially very damaging to your health,’ says Wiener. ‘It’s important for women to try to love their bodies, rather than being continually determined to change them.’
How to get rid of hip fat: 8 exercises to minimise hip dips
Though it's not recommended to target just one body part if you have checked in with your overall body fat levels and want to decrease your body fat percentage then exercise can help with this.
For a great lower body focused session to tone your hips, thighs, abdominals and glutes, add the following exercises into your home workout routine:
1. Squats
a) Standing with feet hip-width apart hinge at the knees to come into a squat position – making sure your knees track over your toes and don't extend past.
b) With the weight in your heels push back up to standing, squeezing your glutes at the top.
2. Hip abduction
a) Lying on your side, use your top arm to support your upper body by placing it in front of your chest.
b) Keep your upper body and core as still and engaged as possible and raise your top leg towards the ceiling.
c) Lower back down – with control – and repeat.
3. Glute bridges
a) Laying on your back, bring your heels up the mat so they are a few inches away from your bum, knees pointing upwards.
b) Take your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart with toes pointing outwards and make sure your knees are pushing outwards to engage your abductors (side glutes).
c) Thrust your pelvis up towards the ceiling, making sure your upper back stays on the floor, and the driving force of the movement is only from the waist down.
d) Once you reach the top, squeeze your glutes. Try and keep them engaged throughout the whole movement. Lower and repeat.
4. Clams
a) Start by laying down on the ground on your side. Pop your head onto the arm that's on the ground. Start by moving your hips up to a 45-degree angle and your knees to a 90-degree angle.
b) Push your knee away from your core, but keep your feet pressed together.
c) Pause when you get to the top of the move, clenching your glutes and ab muscles, and return to the ground. Repeat.
5. Fire hydrants
a) Start on all-fours in a tabletop position, ensure your core is engaged and your back stays straight.
b) Keeping your legs at a 90-degree angle, raise one leg until it is in line with your hip. Drive the leg up with the knee, and ensure the foot and the knee are in-line throughout the whole movement.
c) Engage both glutes to ensure the hips stay square and centred.
d) If you feel too much movement through your upper body, bring your hands slightly to one side (the side of the planted leg) for more stability. Repeat.
6. Glute rainbows
a) Come onto all fours on your mat. Raise your left leg and extend it straight behind you.
b) Moving in an arc-motion and keeping your leg level with your body sweep it behind and across your right leg. Then, sweep it back past your starting position to a lateral position with your left hip. Return to centre and repeat on the other leg.
7. Side lunge
a) Standing at the top of your mat with your feet together, engage your core and lunge laterally, pushing your bum out behind you and keeping your upper back flat.
b) Push through the heel of your lunging foot and repeat.
8. Terjang Curtsy
a) Standing with your feet hip-width apart lunge backwards, crossing your lunging leg over to the opposite side. You'll arrive in a deep curtsy position.
b) Drive through the heel of your front foot to return to your starting position. Repeat.
- 1
โฆษณา
- ดาวน์โหลดแอปพลิเคชัน
- © 2024 Blockdit
