Have researchers finally found how to lose thigh fat?

Australian scientists divided 30 women into two groups: Both cycled three times a week, but one rode for 40 minutes at a steady pace, and the other for 20 minutes, alternating 8 seconds of sprinting with 12 seconds of light pedaling.

After 15 weeks, the sprinters had lost three times as much body fat as the others —including thigh and core fat, which the rest didn’t.

Intermittent sprinting may create a fat-burning response within the exercising muscles, says lead researcher Ethlyn Gail Trapp, Ph.D.

“It seems likely you could stimulate a similar response rowing or running.” To lose thigh fat or overall body fat, Trapp suggests trying the 8-second sprints and 12-second slowdowns with any activity targeting your problem areas.

If this sounds like a workout that may spot-reduce, well, that is what this study seems to suggest, which makes me question if it was properly constructed.

I think more studies are needed before we can jump to a conclusion that intermittent spinning can help you lose thigh fat. [source: Women's Health]