What is the fat on your thighs called?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 22, 2026
Saddlebags are the name commonly used to refer to the fat that accumulates on the outer thighs, just below your bottom. There is no actual body part known as the saddlebag.
What is the cause of thigh fat?
There are different reasons for excess fat on inner thighs, including genetics, aging, gender, ethnicity, weight gain, and diet. Your metabolism, for example, slows down as you become older. This slows down the burning of stored fat in your body.
Do saddlebags ever go away?
You may never be able to get rid of saddlebags completely, but certain exercises can lessen their appearance. Ah, those dreaded saddlebags. You know, the pesky fat deposits that tend to take up residence on your outer thighs, just below your butt — and refuse to leave.
What causes saddlebags on thighs?
What causes saddlebag fat? Saddlebag fat is found on more women than men because women have a larger pelvis. It can also be hereditary. In addition, estrogen in women triggers the accumulation of fat around the abdominal region along with the thigh area.
How do I get rid of the fat on my thighs?
Increase resistance training
Participating in total-body, muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week may help you burn calories, reduce fat mass , and strengthen your thighs. Include lower-body exercises such as lunges, wall sits, inner/outer thigh lifts, and step-ups with just your body weight.
41 related questions foundCan walking reduce thigh fat?
According to The Stroke Association, a brisk 30-minute walk daily helps in controlling high blood pressure and in reducing the chances of stroke by 27 per cent. More importantly, brisk walking can help you tone your legs and reduce thigh fat. Walking tones your calves, quads and hamstrings and lifts the glutes.
What causes thigh fat in females?
The main culprit behind weight gain in your thighs is estrogen. This hormone drives the increase in fat cells in females, causing deposits to form most commonly around the buttocks and thighs.
Why are my outer thighs so fat?
A poor posture can be the cause of fat accumulating within your inner and outer thighs. An Unhealthy Diet: Unhealthy foods are directly linked to excess weight gain. You must provide your body with enough nutrition and refrain from consuming empty calories. The extra calories one consumes are converted into fat.
Can Walking reduce saddlebags?
The best way to lose body fat (saddlebags included) is through exercise. Increase the amount of cardio you do, and you can significantly minimize your outer thigh fat. Some great cardio workouts include swimming, running, jumping rope, walking, cycling, and hiking.
Why do I have saddlebags if I'm skinny?
The faster your metabolism is, the faster your body will burn thorugh the calories and you'll be less likely to store fat. Since one of the main causes of saddlebags is muscle atrophy, doing these exercises can really help you build muscle that's needed to keep your butt and upper thighs tight and toned.
Are hip dips the same as saddlebags?
Are Hip Dips and Saddle Bags The Same? Hip dips and saddlebags are not the same. Saddlebags refer to excess fat deposits located on your outer thighs, below the area where hip dips are located. Saddlebags are also caused by excess body fat, and exercise can potentially help you get rid of them.
Can cycling reduce saddlebags?
Riding a bike is an effective way to lose excess weight, including those saddlebags. Since you must burn 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound, you should plan on riding your bike for about 60 to 75 minutes daily.
Do saddlebags hurt?
They are very sensitive to pressure and physical contact and quickly develop bruises. Their arms or legs feel heavier and swollen as a result of the fluid retention. In addition, the patients describe discomfort ranging from a feeling of tension up to bursting pain.
What foods go to your thighs?
Try some of the following foods:
- lean proteins, such as chicken and fish.
- red meat with no growth hormones, such as grass-fed beef.
- eggs.
- full-fat dairy, such as whole milk and full-fat Greek yogurt.
- fat-rich fruits, such as avocados.
- nuts, such as almonds.
- whole-grain breads.
Does running reduce thigh fat?
If you want to lose weight in your thighs, you need to engage in cardiovascular exercise, which reduces weight throughout your entire body. Running is a form of cardio, so it is effective at melting thigh fat.
How do u get a thigh gap?
However, if you want a thigh gap, you're going to have to work for it.
...
Thigh raises
- Use a short stool for this workout.
- Lie on your side.
- Support your head with your arm.
- Raise the upper leg up to the stool. Hold. Bring it down.
- Continue to do this 15 times on each side.
- Do 2-3 times a day.
How can I lose weight in my legs in 2 weeks?
How Can I Lose Weight in My Thighs in Two Weeks?
- Remove 250 to 500 calories from your daily diet. ...
- Choose low-fat and free-free foods. ...
- Perform cardio exercise everyday. ...
- Increase your intensity during cardio workouts. ...
- Use strength training exercises to tone the muscles in your thighs.
What foods make your thighs smaller?
Dietary changes
- a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- whole grains, such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread.
- protein from a range of sources, which may include beans, nuts, seeds, lean meats, and eggs.
- healthful oils, such as olive oil and nut oils.
Where do females store fat?
Women store fat in their hips, thighs, and butt, and while this subcutaneous fat is diet-resistant, leading to greater struggles with weight loss, it also comes with fewer health issues according to WebMD. Ample subcutaneous fat in these areas can also be a sign of strong metabolic health.
Are big thighs good?
Fat thighs are a sign of having a healthy heart, a new study has suggested, as scientists claimed evidence of a link between leg size and lower blood pressure. Chinese researchers said they have found that having big thighs is associated with lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease in obese people.
How can I reduce my butt and thighs?
Try the following exercises to lose fat from the butt and to tone the muscles in the thighs and glutes:
- Running. Share on Pinterest. ...
- High-intensity interval training. Share on Pinterest. ...
- Step-climbing. Share on Pinterest. ...
- Squats. Share on Pinterest. ...
- Lunges. ...
- One-leg deadlift. ...
- Side-lying hip abduction. ...
- Lateral band walk.
Do squats make your thighs bigger or smaller?
Although lunges and squats tone and define your thigh muscles, they won't make them smaller. In fact, you might notice your thighs getting bigger from exercise.
How many squats should I do to lose thigh fat?
Doing two to three sets lunges and squats of 10 to 12 repetitions is excellent to tone your thigh muscles. It is important to set reasonable expectations when trying to lose weight. The larger the calorie deficit, the faster will be the fat melting process. Aim to lose 1 kilo of weight per week.
Do squats reduce hip fat?
Wall sits, also known as wall squats, are great for working your thighs, hips, and lower abs. They can be a great move to build core strength, test your muscle endurance, and lose weight. Stand up straight with your back pressed against a wall and your legs a few inches away from the wall.
Where are saddlebags on a woman?
"Saddlebags" are an optical illusion, an underdeveloped area just under your tush where the back of your thigh (your hamstring) “ties into” your glutes. We call this area the "glute-hamstring tie-in."