PUBLISHED 12/14/2001
It's one of life's great injustices: Running-no matter how religiously you do it, and no matter how far or fast you go-doesn't guarantee you a sleek physique.
We've all seen the rail-thin champions, and probably have at least one running buddy who's built like a whippet. But we also know runners who are carrying more than an extra water bottle around their waists. Or who wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of tights.
"Runners are always amazed and frustrated when they can't get rid of those little stomach 'pouches,'" says Debbe Marano, a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer in New York City. Is this ringing a bell?
What you need is an overall conditioning program that builds muscle tone as well as endurance, strength, and flexibility. "The only way to eliminate those problem spots is to lower your total body fat and build muscle," says Marano.
More muscle makes it harder for fat to settle because your metabolism is higher. This means you can burn more calories even when you're not exercising.
But fat cells can be stubborn. And the truth is, it's almost impossible to "spot reduce" parts of your body. Yet you can condition the underlying muscles, which will increase your overall lean muscle mass and morph that flesh into toned, tight muscle.
Here we'll show you how to do exactly that. For each of four common problem areas-the stomach, thighs, buttocks, and arms-we offer an exercise you can do while running, an exercise you can do at the gym, and an exercise you can do at home. If none of these work to your satisfaction, we have a secret weapon guaranteed to do the job.
