Exercises to give you a flat stomach, or flat stomach exercises if you will, are not in short supply and the abs are actually one of the most easily trained muscle groups in the body. In fact, almost every form of exercise will help to train the mid section as it’s what the body uses to stabilise itself in all movements. The thing that makes achieving a flat stomach difficult however is the fact that you need a very low bodyfat percentage (at most 9% but usually no more than 7%) in order for the abs to be visible and the stomach to be flat. Abs exercises on their own won’t give you a flat stomach if your stomach is covered in a layer of chubby fat.

So in order to get a flat stomach you also need to include cardiovascular exercise in your flat stomach exercises. Cardiovascular exercise can be performed in a variety of ways, but it’s probably most effective as a flat stomach exercise if you exercise for medium length bursts by going on fairly short laps. This should then be performed three times a week for about half an hour on top of the usual sit ups etc. Below are some good types of CV other than running that you may not have immediately considered.

Skipping – Skipping is an excellent form of CV that is cheap (only requires a rope), easy (once you get the hang of it) and can be done on the spot (and indoors!). It’s high impact making it fairly tough on the joints and you need to clear a fairly large area to do it indoors without breaking vases but those are the only couple of downsides. Skipping also keeps you light on your toes and is good for timing and coordination. It is a very efficient fat burner making it one of the favourite types of flat stomach exercises.

Shadow Boxing – Shadow boxing is a fantastic way to burn calories that is also kind of fun and tones the muscles too (including the allusive abs!). It’s mostly low impact to boot (unless you use a punching bag) and can again be done in doors. You can also make it more exciting by using a mirror or dramatic music – these are the reasons that shadow boxing is personal favourite form of CV.

Swimming – Swimming is a great way to keep fit and is one of the best types of flat stomach exercise. This is because it has no impact and places no strain on the joints or bones meaning you can do it even when suffering from an injury, and because it trains every muscle in the body – providing resistance at every single point of every movement – meaning you tone your physique as well as just stripping fat.

Mack LeMouse

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