To tackle belly fat and achieve a toned midsection, it’s crucial to focus on burning excess fat in the abdominal region. Targeted exercises for the stomach, sides, and hips will stimulate the muscles in these areas, helping to eliminate stubborn fat deposits. Hinafit, a Japanese fitness trainer with over 700,000 followers on her YouTube channel (@Hinafit), suggests a workout routine for the abdominal region, featuring variations of the classic crunch exercise.
Basic Crunches (20 reps)
All you need is a mat. Lie down with your back flat on the mat, placing your hands gently behind your head. Inhale, engage your core, and use your abdominal muscles to lift your upper body off the mat, exhaling as you go. This basic move is highly effective in toning the abdominal region.
The basic crunch is a simple yet effective move for targeting the abdominal muscles.
90-Degree Crunches (20 reps)
Lift your legs to form a 90-degree angle. Place your hands behind your head, inhale, and engage your core. Then, lift your upper body off the mat in a controlled manner, breathing evenly as you do so. Perform 20 reps of this exercise.
Instead of lowering your legs, try this variation with your legs lifted at a 90-degree angle.
Abdominal Contraction (15 reps)
Lift your legs, prop yourself up on your hands, and perform controlled up-and-down movements 15 times, engaging your core throughout.
Lift your legs, prop yourself up on your hands, and perform controlled up-and-down movements.
Right-Side Crunches (10 reps)
This exercise targets the muscles on the sides of your hips and waist, as well as your lower abdominal muscles, helping you achieve a firmer midsection. You should feel the burn in these areas as you perform the move.
Focus on engaging the muscles on your sides and hips during this exercise.
Left-Side Crunches (10 reps)
Repeat the same exercise on the left side for 10 reps.
Waist Twists (20 reps)
Pay attention to engaging your core to maximize the impact on your waist muscles. Perform 20 reps of this twisting motion.
Focus on engaging your core muscles to intensify the effect on your waist.
Leg Raises (10 reps)
This exercise targets the lower abdominal muscles. Continue with the next move to sculpt and define your waist.
Leg raises primarily work your lower abdominal muscles.
Right-Side Plank (10 reps)
While a regular plank targets your entire core, this variation specifically works your waist. By lifting and lowering your hips, you activate the muscles in your waist, helping to eliminate stubborn fat and giving you a more defined silhouette.
The right-side plank variation helps target the muscles in your waist.
Left-Side Plank (10 reps)
Switch sides and perform 10 reps of the left-side plank.
Leg Raises with Crossed Legs (15 reps)
This exercise uses your abdominal muscles to support your entire body, with a particular focus on the lower abdominal region. Consistent practice of this move will lead to noticeable changes in your midsection.
