How to Get a Curvy Body

Co-authored by Melody Sayers, MS, RD, NASM-CPT

Last Updated: June 10, 2020 References

An hourglass figure is the epitome of femininity, like Marilyn Monroe and other ‘60s icons. To get a curvy body, you need to accentuate the bust and hips, while cinching the waist and lifting the butt. What you need to do to achieve an hourglass figure will depend upon your starting point, so choose the methods below that apply to your body.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Reducing Overall Weight

1
Do cardio exercise 3 to 4 days per week. Cardio keeps your weight stable while providing muscle toning. Remember that it is impossible to target fat loss in one area of the body; cardio helps you burn fat all over your body.
- You can, however, target muscle growth. Move on to the hip and butt sections to learn how to do this.
- Choose cardio exercise routines that you enjoy doing. These routines will already be motivating, so you'll be more likely to maintain an exercise program with one included.^{[1]
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  Expert Source
  
  Melody Sayers, MS, RD, NASM-CPT
  Registered Dietician & Personal Trainer
  Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.}
2
Choose interval workouts over moderate intensity workouts. You can increase your fat burning potential by alternating moderate and high intensity. 20 to 30-minute interval workouts can be more efficient than 1-hour medium intensity workouts.

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3
Pick walking, elliptical training, swimming or biking over long-distance running. If you are naturally skinny, high-intensity workouts might burn off the fat in your bust and hips that make you curvier. Choose a total body interval workout or walking to stay in shape without losing muscle mass and hip or bust size.
- Compare the distance you go rather than the time you spend doing the activity for a more accurate value on calories burned.
4
Consider a cardio plus conditioning workout. Flow yoga, barre method, body sculpt and aerobics can build lean muscle while they burn fat, saving you time in your schedule.
5
Embrace hills or stairs while you walk, hike or run. They will burn fat and tone your butt, hips, thighs, and calves.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Working Your Upper Body

1
Do push-ups. Get on the ground and put your hands so your palms are on the floor shoulder-width apart. Keep your feet together. Start with your arms fully extended. Lower your body until your arms are at a 90-degree angle. Straighten your arms to lift yourself back up.^{[2]
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- Try diamond or wide-arm push-ups for more of a challenge.
- If push-ups feel difficult, perform them with your knees on the ground rather than using the balls of your feet.
2
Work on your overhead press. Stand with your legs hip-width apart with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your arms just outside of your shoulders with your palms facing forward. Shrug your shoulders as you lift a barbell or dumbbells until your arms are fully extended above your head.^{[3]
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- Arch your upper back to raise your chest as you complete these lifts.
- Inhale at the bottom of your lift. Hold your breath at the top of the lift.
- Keep your legs and hips locked during the lift.
- Do a seated press to mostly work your arms and shoulders.
3
Perform deltoid raises. Hold dumbbells in each hand at your sides. Raise 1 arm in front of you in a slow and steady motion until your arm is parallel to the floor. Hold it there for 1 second before slowly lowering it. Alternate arms to evenly work out your deltoids.^{[4]
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- Keep your back arched so you aren’t hunched over.
- Slow and controlled movement will help work your muscles more than fast movements.
4
Practice doing Supermans. Lay on your stomach with your arms extended in front of you. Lift your left arm and your right leg at the same time and hold it for 2 counts. Keep your head straight in front of you.^{[5]
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- Repeat this for 12-15 reps for 3 sets.
- Lift your arms and legs at the same time for the full Superman exercise.
- Stretch your back when you’re finished.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Tightening the Waist

1
Learn the Pilates ab series. Pilates is focused on building deep muscles that will tone and firm your waist. Pull your ab muscles in and up and hard as you can while you lift your chest to the bottom of your shoulder blades during each of these exercises.
- Pilates will help improve your posture and the way you carry yourself.
2
Start with the Pilates 100. Lay on your back with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle, a pose called “table top.” Pump your arms between your knees and hips for 90 seconds. Breathe in and out 5 times each. Take a short break before starting another set. Do 10 sets total.
- Engage both your upper and lower abs while you pump your arms.
- The Pilates 100 refers to 10 breaths for 10 sets.
3
Move to the “single leg stretch.” Remain in tabletop position. Activate your abs and lift your head and shoulders. Hug your right leg into your chest while your left leg goes straight out to a 45-degree angle.
- Pull your knee in twice and then switch legs.
- Repeat for 60 seconds.
4
Continue with the “double leg stretch.” Start in table top while hugging your legs. Lift your head and shoulders off the floor to activate your core. Extend your legs so they are at a 45-degree angle to the floor. Then bring your arms back so they are in line with your ears.
- Hold for 2 seconds and then fold into the starting position.
- Repeat 8 times.
- Your torso should not move during the entire exercise. Only the arms and legs will move in towards your body and away from it.
5
Follow with the “leg lift.” While laying on your back, place your hands behind your head with your elbows wide. Straighten your legs so that they are sticking straight up.
- Lower them to a 45-degree angle, and then raise them up again.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
- If your lower back starts to lift, lower the legs less than a 45-degree angle.
- Place your hands below your hips when you do this exercise if you have lower back problems.
6
Finish with the “criss-cross.” Lay on your back with your legs at a 90-degree angle, or at the tabletop position. This time, place your hands behind your head with your elbow out.
- Twist your left armpit toward your right leg as it bends in toward your chest.
- Switch legs as you reach your right armpit in toward your left knee.
- Repeat 8 times on each side.
- Lower your legs and arms down and reach them as long as you can on your mat to stretch out your abdominal muscles.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Sculpting Hips and Butt

1
Embrace strengthening exercises. Do 30 minutes of bodyweight exercises, weight machines or free weights 2 to 3 times a week on nonconsecutive days. Weightlifting in addition to cardio will help to tone muscles in the areas of your choice.
2
Try butt-toning exercises every other day. Get on all fours on an exercise mat. Lift 1 leg straight out behind you at a low angle.
- Pulse your foot toward the ceiling in small movements for 1 minute.
- Switch legs and repeat.
3
Exercise your hips every other day. Lay down with your arms flat against the ground. Bend your knees at a 90-degree angle and plant your feet firmly on the ground. Lift your hips so they are parallel with your knees. This is called the bridge position.
- Pull your abs inward and up as you do this exercise.
- Pulse your hips down and raise them up 1 inch (2.5 cm). Repeat for 1 minute.
- Rest and repeat again until you reach fatigue.^{[6]
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4
Do a 1-minute plank. Get in a pushup position with abs tucked in and up. Hold your body straight for 1 minute while breathing in and out as slowly as possible.
- If 1 minute is easy for you, repeat the plank position 2 or 3 times. You can also try lifting a leg or arm off the floor.
5
Perform side plank lifts. Hold a side plank, where your body has a straight line from your left arm to your ankles. Lift your hips 1 inch (2.5 cm) and lower them back to the straight line.^{[7]
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- Repeat for 30 seconds.
- Switch to your right side and repeat.
- This exercise tones your abs, obliques, and hips.
- For added benefit, reach your opposite, resting arm above your head to make your side longer and more engaged.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I reduce stomach fat and get wider hips?

Michele Dolan
Certified Fitness Trainer
Michele Dolan is a BCRPA certified Personal Trainer in British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002.

Michele Dolan

Certified Fitness Trainer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

The only way to reduce size is to lose fat by eating a reduced calorie diet and exercising regularly. The hips can increase in size by building muscle in the buttocks.
Question

Is it normal to shake when doing side plank lifts?

Michele Dolan
Certified Fitness Trainer
Michele Dolan is a BCRPA certified Personal Trainer in British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002.

Michele Dolan

Certified Fitness Trainer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes at first. Your muscles shake because they aren't used to that type of work. Stick with it and when you build your strength they will stop shaking.