The Informant
Is Spot Reduction Possible
QUESTION: Is spot reduction really possible or is it all hype?
ANSWER: According to Nathan Hinks, spot reduction may be possible. That is training a certain muscle group to decrease the amount of fat surrounding it which has been debated for many, many years, especially amongst competitive figure athletes that swear by it. Most scientists have claimed it simply isn’t possible, as fat loss happens throughout the entire body, but some coaches and competitors alike believe that spot reduction is possible. Research from Denmark may shed more light on the subject. Ten healthy males performed three sets of high-rep one-leg knee extensions. Blood flow and fat breakdown were greatest around the exercising muscle. While further research is needed, there may be more to higher- rep training for fat loss than was previously thought.
STUDY REFERENCE:
Stallknecht, B. (2007). Are blood flow and lipolysis in subcutaneous adipose tissue influenced by contractions in adjacent muscles in humans? Am J Physiol En- docrinol Metab. 292(2):E394-9.