Recommended gym exercise to blast belly fat?

I just started my weight loss journey about 2 weeks ago. I've been working out on the elliptical for about an hour every night, 5-7 nights a week. Sometimes I switch it up and do 1/2 hour elliptical, 1/2 hour cardio. I know that to see real results with my shape that I need to do resistence training, but I'm pretty clueless as to where to start. I have some great curves when thin, but when I'm overweight, I develop an apple body shape (gain primarily in the stomach and thighs).

Started at 195 lbs
Last weigh in (4 days ago): 188
Short term: 160 by March (But hey! I'll take less!)
Long term goal: 135-140

Desired look: Not stick thin skinny, but lean and toned.

Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Superset fork putdowns with seated table pushbacks.

    These can be done at home.
  • Abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym.

    Also, there is no exercise that is going to target just the belly fat.

    Lift heavy, eat right.
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    Clean and jerks probably work as well as anything for a single exercise to blast body fat...
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    all of them.
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    Superset fork putdowns with seated table pushbacks.

    These can be done at home.
    This.

    You can't spot reduce.
  • ChelseaRW
    ChelseaRW Posts: 366 Member
    Loving the superset fork setdowns and chair pushbacks comment but would like to know what some great ab exercises would be in addition to the controlled eating and cardio.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Superset fork putdowns with seated table pushbacks.

    These can be done at home.

    QuQbK.jpg
  • Pilates works good but mainly it will be what you eat
  • Wabbit05
    Wabbit05 Posts: 434 Member
    Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    You are very obviously funny AND SMART! Judging by your picture, you know what it takes to accomplish goals. How about sharing your knowledge in a more direct way since you've already shared your wit and a great pic of your abs.

    4uVA7.gif
  • PJ64
    PJ64 Posts: 866 Member
    You are very obviously funny AND SMART! Judging by your picture, you know what it takes to accomplish goals. How about sharing your knowledge in a more direct way since you've already shared your wit and a great pic of your abs. The continued cardio and good eating(though that is wide open) works but what ab workouts do YOU do?

    THIS
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    You are very obviously funny AND SMART! Judging by your picture, you know what it takes to accomplish goals. How about sharing your knowledge in a more direct way since you've already shared your wit and a great pic of your abs. The continued cardio and good eating(though that is wide open) works but what ab workouts do YOU do?

    Providing a list of ab exercises that I do, assuming I do any, would be a poor answer. When you're 50 lbs overweight, you don't have a "problem area."
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I just started my weight loss journey about 2 weeks ago. I've been working out on the elliptical for about an hour every night, 5-7 nights a week. Sometimes I switch it up and do 1/2 hour elliptical, 1/2 hour cardio. I know that to see real results with my shape that I need to do resistence training, but I'm pretty clueless as to where to start. I have some great curves when thin, but when I'm overweight, I develop an apple body shape (gain primarily in the stomach and thighs).

    Started at 195 lbs
    Last weigh in (4 days ago): 188
    Short term: 160 by March (But hey! I'll take less!)
    Long term goal: 135-140

    Desired look: Not stick thin skinny, but lean and toned.

    Sadly you can't spot reduce:( Just log everything, stick to your calorie goal, eat healthy, and exercise. Don't overkill with the cardio...make sure you get some serious strength training in. Try reading the 'new rules of lifting for women'. Lot's of good info!
  • You are very obviously funny AND SMART! Judging by your picture, you know what it takes to accomplish goals. How about sharing your knowledge in a more direct way since you've already shared your wit and a great pic of your abs. The continued cardio and good eating(though that is wide open) works but what ab workouts do YOU do?

    Providing a list of ab exercises that I do, assuming I do any, would be a poor answer. When you're 50 lbs overweight, you don't have a "problem area."

    ^THIS
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    In terms of exercise lifting heavy to build muscle and intense cardio (maybe some sprints or HIIT) to shred fat. You can't specifically target your abdominal area but you will want to do some core exercises (bridges, knee lifts, leg lifts... there are hundreds of ab exercises). As the other posters have pointed out, none of this will work unless you get your diet sorted. Eat lots of veggies, plenty of protein, some good fats and some non-strachy carbs.
  • smartparker
    smartparker Posts: 7 Member
    I want to clarify, I am also dieting. MFP has me set at a 1200 calorie diet that I've been doing for about a week and a half now. I realize that you can push for one area to get smaller than the other, but I know my core isn't getting worked and need some good exercies to get me moving.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    all of them.
    This. It's hard to target a specific area for fat loss, you body loses weight from where it wants to. The best exercises i've found for overall fat burning have been jogging, cycling, and believe it or not, long walks. You can do those at the gym on machines, but they can be done in a variety of other locations, too.
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    You are very obviously funny AND SMART! Judging by your picture, you know what it takes to accomplish goals. How about sharing your knowledge in a more direct way since you've already shared your wit and a great pic of your abs. The continued cardio and good eating(though that is wide open) works but what ab workouts do YOU do?

    Providing a list of ab exercises that I do, assuming I do any, would be a poor answer. When you're 50 lbs overweight, you don't have a "problem area."
    IodtS.gif
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    I want to clarify, I am also dieting. MFP has me set at a 1200 calorie diet that I've been doing for about a week and a half now. I realize that you can push for one area to get smaller than the other, but I know my core isn't getting worked and need some good exercies to get me moving.
    Your best bet?


    Go to the free weights. Pick them up. Put them down. Repeat.
  • passmetheducksauce
    passmetheducksauce Posts: 211 Member
    it's all about dieting really. spot reduction does not exist and plenty of people have the misconception of focusing on toning a specific area of your body while neglecting other major muscle groups.

    but to answer your original question, standing oblique crunches, lateral side bends, abdominal crunch machine, hanging straight leg raises, and cable column kneeling oblique and rectus abdominal crunches are the exercise i do to get a toned mid section.
  • lindsyrox
    lindsyrox Posts: 257 Member
    Personally I feel that running works my abs (as well as a slew of other muscle groups and cardio). BUT like anything you need to be careful, build up your distance and speed and incorporate weight workouts on non run days.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Superset fork putdowns with seated table pushbacks.

    These can be done at home.


    LOL!!!!!!!
    ZOMG!!!!!
  • smartparker
    smartparker Posts: 7 Member
    Just throwing this out there:

    I made it a priority to workout every day (sometimes I am so sore, though, that I have a day or two break). How many days of cardio vs. strength training? I have heard that you don't want to do strength training everyday, but that you MUST do cardio every day.

    A lot of different information.
  • I want to clarify, I am also dieting. MFP has me set at a 1200 calorie diet that I've been doing for about a week and a half now. I realize that you can push for one area to get smaller than the other, but I know my core isn't getting worked and need some good exercies to get me moving.
    Your best bet?


    Go to the free weights. Pick them up. Put them down. Repeat.

    64j9.jpg
  • passmetheducksauce
    passmetheducksauce Posts: 211 Member
    and i always finish my resistance training workout running on the treadmill at a 6.5- 7.00 speed for 30-40 minutes. this will burn additional calories and also helps raise your basal metabolic rate which means you will be burning additional calories while sitting down on the couch later that day. remember to take in 1.0-1.5 grams of protein per body lb. you need protein to build muscles and repair torn muscle fibers. muscles burn fat!
  • mareeee1234
    mareeee1234 Posts: 674 Member
    I do crunches for about 15-20 mins everyday to build up my ab muscles so that they are ready when my layer of fat eventually goes away through regular cardio, some strength training and eating well.

    You can't just work the abs alone, as everyone else said. So keep working out and eating well (80% of the time) - and overall body fat will reduce, including your belly fat. And for even more definition, work those abs muscles! :wink:

    And just a tip: HIIT workouts are great for burning more!
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    OP do us a favor so we can help you.
    We need stats first then we can give advice that would work.

    Age
    Height
    Weight
    Body Fat% <----very important!
    Occupation
    Workout routine

    Chances are you dont eat enough at 1200 unless you are eating back all calories.
    Anywho...if you dont want to post this info please PM me and i'll help you lose the fat.
  • caroleannlight
    caroleannlight Posts: 173 Member
    Hi I have found it useful to get a personal trainer at the gym but it is very expensive. Most gyms should have someone that could work out a resistance/ lifting programme including some core exercises. Pilates may also be a good bet for strengthening core and good for reducing stress levels etc which may be important looking at your profile. Hope this helps and good luck.