ABS Workout to Lose Belly Pooch

One of the most stubborn kinds of fat in the body is the belly fat. The one that gives you a sad sagging paunch on your stomach. Having belly fat is very common and completely normal. It can happen because of many reasons. Poor eating and drinking habits, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, lack of proper sleep, stress, and hereditary reasons are all causes of belly fat. Though very common, belly fat is known to increase the chances of health problems like heart diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Societal standards can make you feel unattractive and unhealthy because of your belly pouch. It might prevent you from donning your favorite clothes and feeling good about your body in general. That is why finding the right abs workout to lose belly pooch can help a lot.

There is no workout that can provide spot reduction to your fat. Belly fat cannot just magically disappear. But some great abdominal exercises can help you in distributing the fat. This can help you in achieving a strong and toned core. A proper abs workout targets your rectus abdominis muscle or the abdominal wall. It covers your body’s midsection and your pelvis.

We have put together a list of 8 abs exercises that can help you in reduce belly fat. What is advisable is to do each exercise for a minute and repeat this set three times with a minute break in the middle of each set. All you need is a mat, and you are good to go.

Try crunches

Crunches are, in most people’s opinion, an easy, common, and effective abs workout to lose belly pooch. It strengthens the core, improves posture, and enhance flexibility. Crunches are a versatile and malleable kind of exercise. Many types of crunches exercises exist. Simple crunches, twist crunches, and side crunches are the ones we will discuss here.

To do simple crunches lie down flat on the ground or a mat. Keep your feet hip-width apart. Now bend your knees with your feet flat. You then have to keep your palms under your head and your thumbs behind your ears. Now take a deep breath and while exhaling, gently lift your upper torso towards your knees while concentrating on your torso. And then return to your initial position while slowly letting inhaling again.

Moreover, to do a twist crunch, the initial position is the same. Now, instead of lifting your torso, you have to lift your right shoulder towards your left. Then go the other way; take your right shoulder towards your left.

The side crunch is important for the side belly muscles. To do a side crunch, get into a simple crunch position. Then, while doing a twist crunch, bring your legs on the same side as your shoulder. So when you are tilting your right shoulder towards your left, bend your left leg towards your right elbow. Keep your knees straight.

Planks

Another very common and effective abs workout to lose belly pooch is planks. It is a full-body workout that also helps in improving flexibility, strength, and posture. Many forms of plank exercises exist, and here we talk about 3 of them.

To do a simple plank, you lie down facing the ground. Keep your arms under your chest and a shoulder-length apart. Then you gently lift your body up on your toes and arms and hold this position for 30 seconds before returning to the initial step.

To do a reverse plank hover, sit straight with your legs straight in front of you. Place your hands next to your hips with your palms facing down and your fingertips facing forward. Press down your arms to lift yourself off the ground a little. Hold this position for 30 seconds before returning to the initial step.

To do an etching elbow plank, do a simple plank first. Then slowly move your hips up and move your legs in one by one. Keep doing the same till your highs have peeked up and are in a reverse-V position. Hold the same for 30 seconds before reversing the steps and getting back to your initial position.

Lunges: The easiest abs workout to lose belly pooch

Lunges form a great lower body exercise that not only helps in reducing belly fat but also strengthens the core. It is a great exercise to get your blood flowing to different parts. To make lunges, you need to stand with your legs shoulder-width apart. Place your hands straight in front and aligned with your shoulders. Keep your knees slightly bent. Place one of your feet forward and bend a little. Repeat the same with the other leg. Continue to do this for a minute.

Frog Press

Frog Press is another abs workout to lose belly pooch. All in all, it targets your core, your thighs, and your belly fat all at once. To do a frog press lie on your back with your knees bent and heels pressed together. Firstly, keep your hands on the sides of your hips with your palms facing down. While inhaling, lift your head and shoulder off the floor towards your knees. As you exhale, extend your legs to 45 degrees while keeping your knees together.

Bicycle

Bicycle or air cycling is an exercise that helps in building the glute muscles, quadriceps, calf muscles, and hamstrings. It is a great abs workout to lose belly pooch. It doesn’t require any special equipment for it. To do air cycling, lie down on the ground on your back. Place your hands on either side of your hips or at the back of your head. Lift both legs up and bend them. Now start rotating them in the air to replicate the motion of paddling a cycle.

Single-Leg Stretch

To do the single-leg stretch lie on your back and bend both your knees towards your chest. Interlace your fingers and place them on the top of your right thigh while pulling it more towards your chest. Your hands should add resistance to your leg. Extend your left leg out while keeping it parallel to the floor. Lift your head and shoulders off the floor a little while looking at your legs. Switch legs and press palms against the left thigh as your right leg extends parallel to the floor. This completes one set of this exercise.

Criss-Cross Lift: Most preferred abs workout to lose belly pooch

Criss-cross is another fitness trainers’ favorite abs workout to lose belly pooch. Lie on back with your arms at the sides of your hips. Inhale and extend both your legs straight up toward the ceiling. Now place your right leg over your left. Lower your legs about 45 degrees. As you exhale, bring both your legs over your head by lifting your hips and back off the floor. Press down your arms for support. All in all, be in this position for 30 seconds, and then slowly bring your legs back to the starting position.

U-Boat: The best abs workout to lose belly pooch

U boat is an easy and quick exercise that requires small movement but can have big effects. Sit on the floor with your knees bent. So, lean back to rest your weight on your elbows placed on your hips’ side. Next, lift your legs up in a 90-degree angle with your knees still bent, and your toes pointed. Now, gently bring your legs over to the left while keeping the hips on the ground. Keep the 90-degree angle with your legs, lower them, and then lift them up to the right. Furthermore, the movement should be like tracing the letter “U” with your knees.