Spot reduction

Spot reduction is the reduction of fat from a specific area of the body. It is a common misconception (the spot reduction myth) that it is possible to achieve spot reduction through exercise of specific muscles in the desired area, such as exercising the abdominal muscles in an effort to lose weight in or around one's midsection. Advertisers sometimes play on this misconception when advertising exercise-related products.

In actuality, fat is burned from body areas in genetically pre-determined patterns that have no relationship to the muscles being exercised. For men, lower back fat is generally the last to be burned, with the lower legs second last; for women, it is generally the thighs and buttocks.