You cannot spot reduce fat from specific areas of your body through exercise alone. While targeted exercises like tricep extensions can build the underlying muscles, they will not directly burn fat from just the triceps. To reduce body fat, focus on overall fat loss through a balanced diet and full-body strength training routines of 3-8 sets of 8-20 repetitions to promote muscle growth and calorie burning.

1. Can I spot reduce
my fatty areas?
Photo Credit: SuperFantastic

3. Why Not?
Storage of fat on the body is a result of overall body fat amount and
genetics.
For example, tricep extensions will not burn the fat on the triceps, but
they can help you burn fat in general.

4. If you want to see more of your muscles:
Train for muscle growth (hypertrophy), 3-8 sets of 8-20 reps
Hoeger&Hoeger, 2009, p226.
And
Eat a balanced diet that will help with fat loss.
Hoeger&Hoeger, 2009, p153.
Give another support
Provide explanation that makes it relevant to their lives.

5. References
Fat Loss Training Myths. Retrieved from http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Myths.html
Hoeger, S. A., Hoeger, W. W. (2009). Lifetime Physical Fitness & Wellness. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Kraemer, J. K., Ratamess, N. A. (2004). Fundamentals of Resistance Training: Progression and
Exercise Prescription. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 36, 674-688.
(2009). Position Stand: Appropriate Physical Activity Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and
Prevention of Weight Regain for Adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
American College of Sports Medicine,41, 459-471.
Additional Resources
American College of Sports Medicine: www.ascm.org
Elite FTS: www.elitefts.com
Exercise Prescription: exrx.net