Do Flat Stomach Exercises Really Work?

Researchers have learned that eating a natural, low calorie diet paired with frequent exercises is the best way to get a flat stomach and fit body. The body cannot become fit and toned without the combination of the two. You cannot sit around and expect your belly to become toned, just like you cannot expect to get fit if you exercise but just eat junk food. The two go hand in hand. As long as you eat well and exercise regularly, including flat stomach exercises, you will see the results and you will be pleased.

Get a trim and toned belly
There are several great exercises that will help you develop a toned and trim belly. Most people turn to flat stomach exercises like crunches and twists, but those are just the beginning. Your belly fat will not disappear unless you combine tummy toning exercises with cardio workouts. Pilates and yoga are two great ways to lose weight and tone your core, but you can also get a trim tummy by walking at a fast pace and by running along with flat stomach exercises.

Yoga and pilates target the core
Yoga and Pilates work to trim your belly because both exercises work the entire core, not just the front abdominal muscles. In order for the belly to stay toned, you have to include flat stomach exercises that work the side muscles (the oblique muscles) and the back of the body. It is also important to work the muscles beneath the “six pack” muscles that most people envision when they think of a trim and muscular core. Without working the total core, you might have a flat belly but you will also have back pain as the tight muscles the front of your body tug on the weaker ones in the back.

Swim and cycle
Another cardio exercise that will help tone the entire body, not just the core is swimming. When you swim, your stomach muscles work to keep you afloat and as you turn to breathe when swimming the crawl stroke you twist, which gets the oblique muscles working hard. If you swim on your back, you also work the back muscles. The best part of swimming is that the exercise does not have any impact, so if you have injured knees or back pain, this exercise is perfect for you.

Cycling is another way to build cardio endurance, leg strength and a fit belly. If you use cycling to tone your stomach, you need to be aware of your posture. It is important to tighten the abdominal muscles and keep the sides of the body long when you ride.

Zumba tones the abs
There are so many different flat stomach exercises that are much more fun that just doing repetitive crunches and twists. When you add stomach exercises into the fun cardio workouts, you will be surprised how quickly your tummy gets toned. The most fun cardio exercise of all, Zumba constantly works on getting the belly toned with dance moves that crunch and twist the belly. When you get busy sweating and getting your heart rate up, your belly will get fit.

Have fun with hula and balance
Two other really fun ways to get your belly toned without doing boring flat stomach exercises is to work on balancing and hula hooping. In order to balance on one foot or on a line is to use your core muscles which will help them get toned and tight. Hula hooping is another excellent stomach toning exercise that works your abs all the way around. You cannot help but smile when you start shaking your hips.

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