What is it called when your legs don't touch?: Understanding the 'thigh gap'

October 2, 2025 •

5 min read

According to medical experts, the space between a person's inner thighs, informally called a 'thigh gap', is largely determined by bone structure and genetics. For most people, whether their thighs touch or not is a matter of natural anatomy, not a measure of health or fitness. We'll explore what is it called when your legs don't touch, debunking common myths and promoting a healthier perspective on body shape.

Quick Summary

The space between the thighs is informally called a 'thigh gap', a feature primarily influenced by an individual's bone structure, such as hip width and pelvic position, rather than body fat or fitness level. For many, achieving this aesthetic is physically impossible and is not a healthy measure of well-being.

Key Points

Thigh Gap Defined: The space between the thighs when standing is informally known as a 'thigh gap', not a medical term.
Primarily Genetic: A person's natural bone structure, specifically hip width and pelvic angle, is the main determinant of whether they have a thigh gap.
Not a Health Indicator: The presence or absence of a thigh gap is not a measure of health, fitness, or body weight.
Spot Reduction Is a Myth: You cannot target fat loss in a specific area like the inner thighs through exercises; this is a false fitness myth.
Focus on Health Over Aesthetics: Chasing this often unrealistic body ideal can contribute to body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Embrace Body Diversity: It is completely normal for thighs to touch, and a healthy body comes in many different shapes and sizes.

Understanding the Term: The 'Thigh Gap'

The informal term for the space between the inner thighs when a person stands with their feet together is the "thigh gap". This term gained widespread cultural attention in the early 2010s, primarily through social media, where it was promoted as a beauty standard. However, medical and health professionals consistently emphasize that the presence of a thigh gap is not an indicator of good health, fitness, or attractiveness. For many individuals, this physical feature is simply not achievable due to natural anatomical factors, regardless of diet or exercise.

The Role of Anatomy and Genetics

The primary factors that determine whether someone has a thigh gap are their genetics and their unique bone structure. These are elements that cannot be changed through exercise or dieting. Understanding these components can help demystify the thigh gap and reframe it away from a focus on appearance toward acceptance of natural body diversity.

Bone Structure

Hip Width: The width of your hips plays a significant role. Individuals with a wider pelvis have a greater distance between their femurs (thigh bones), which can create a natural space between the thighs. Conversely, those with a narrower pelvic structure are less likely to have a thigh gap.
Pelvic Position: The way your thigh bones connect to your pelvis also impacts the space. This positioning is a fixed skeletal trait that cannot be altered by lifestyle choices.

Genetics and Fat Distribution

Genetics are a major determinant of where your body stores fat. Some people are genetically predisposed to store less fat in their inner thigh area, while others naturally store more fat there. This is a characteristic that varies widely among individuals and is not controllable through targeted fat loss, a concept known as spot reduction. Many fit, athletic individuals with well-developed thigh muscles may have their legs touch, demonstrating that a thigh gap is unrelated to overall fitness.

The Truth About Spot Reduction and Targeted Exercise

Many fitness resources and social media trends suggest that specific exercises can create a thigh gap. However, this is a dangerous myth based on the debunked concept of spot reduction. While exercises can certainly strengthen and tone muscles, they cannot dictate where your body loses fat.

Commonly suggested exercises and their actual effect:

Lateral Lunges: These are great for strengthening the inner thigh muscles (adductors), as well as the glutes, but they will not create space between your legs by themselves.
Sumo Squats: A variation of a regular squat, these effectively target the adductors, but again, their purpose is building muscle, not changing your bone structure.
Side-Lying Leg Lifts: These Pilates-based movements help tone the inner and outer thighs, core, and glutes, but won't alter the innate spacing of your legs.

Building muscle can actually make your thighs appear fuller, rather than creating a larger gap. The healthier approach is to focus on overall fitness and strength, celebrating what your body can do rather than trying to fit an arbitrary aesthetic ideal.

The Dangers of Chasing the 'Thigh Gap' Ideal

The pursuit of a thigh gap, especially through extreme dieting or excessive exercise, is associated with significant risks to physical and mental health. The ideal can cause body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and lead to disordered eating patterns. Psychologists have identified the pressure to achieve unrealistic beauty standards as a contributor to serious health issues. It is crucial to prioritize overall well-being, including a balanced diet and sustainable exercise, over a potentially unattainable aesthetic goal.

Related Conditions: When a Gap Is a Medical Concern

For some, a significant and pronounced gap between the legs may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, though this is rare and distinct from the aesthetic concept of a thigh gap.

Bow Legs (Genu Varum): A condition where a person's legs curve outwards at the knees, creating a wide space between the legs. While common in infants and often resolving on its own, a persistent case may require medical attention.
Blount's Disease: A growth disorder affecting the growth plate of the shin bone that can cause bow legs, particularly in children.
Rickets: A vitamin D or calcium deficiency that weakens bones and can lead to bowed legs.

If there is concern about an unusually wide gap or associated symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and guidance.

Normal Body Diversity and the Healthier Perspective

It is completely normal for most people's legs to touch when standing with their feet together. Body types vary widely, and focusing on a specific, often genetically determined, physical trait is detrimental to body image and mental health. Embracing body diversity and prioritizing a healthy, active lifestyle that supports your unique body is far more beneficial than chasing an arbitrary beauty standard promoted on social media. For many, the goal should be strong, functional legs, not legs that don't touch.

Comparison Table: Thigh Gap Factors


Factor	Impact on Thigh Gap	Changeability
Bone Structure	Directly determines potential for a natural gap based on hip width and femur angle.	Immutable; cannot be changed by diet or exercise.
Genetics	Influences where your body stores fat and muscle.	Immutable; determines natural predisposition.
Body Fat Percentage	Can influence the amount of tissue on the inner thighs, but body fat loss cannot be targeted to this area.	Influenced by diet and overall exercise.
Muscle Mass	Strong adductor muscles can fill the space between the thighs, even at a low body fat percentage.	Built through targeted strength training exercises.
Medical Conditions	Certain conditions like bow legs can create a gap.	May be treatable depending on the underlying cause.

Conclusion

So, what is it called when your legs don't touch? It's called a 'thigh gap,' and while it has become a prevalent beauty standard online, its presence is a matter of natural bone structure and genetics for most people. Chasing this ideal can lead to unhealthy behaviors and negative self-image. A healthier perspective involves appreciating your body's natural form and focusing on holistic well-being rather than striving for a physical trait that may be genetically unattainable. The healthiest body is one that is strong, active, and nourished, regardless of whether or not a gap exists between the thighs.

For more comprehensive information on healthy body image and wellness, you can visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but it's not a health standard. The presence of a thigh gap is mostly determined by your bone structure and genetics. A healthy body can have a thigh gap or not, and neither is superior or healthier than the other.

It is unlikely you can create a thigh gap if your bone structure doesn't support one. While you can strengthen and tone your leg muscles with exercise and reduce overall body fat with diet, you cannot change your genetics or hip width.

Having thighs that don't touch is not exclusive to slim or thin people. Your bone structure, including hip width and pelvic position, is a major factor. A person with wider-set hips, for example, may have a natural thigh gap even with a higher body weight.

Yes, though it is rare and different from the aesthetic thigh gap. Conditions like bow legs (genu varum), Blount's disease, or rickets can cause legs to curve outwards, creating a gap. If you have concerns, consult a healthcare professional.

Yes, it is completely normal for thighs to touch. Most healthy people, regardless of body fat percentage, have thighs that touch. Body diversity is normal, and it is not a flaw for your thighs to touch.

It is often seen as a negative ideal because it promotes an unrealistic and unattainable standard for many people. The focus on this specific physical trait can lead to body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and anxiety.

A healthier approach is to focus on overall well-being, which includes a balanced diet, regular exercise for strength and cardiovascular health, and a positive body image. Celebrating your body's capabilities rather than its appearance is more beneficial.