lower belly/abdominals??

SSAHM
SSAHM Posts: 172 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
i want to tone up my lower belly/abdominals after having my kids. Hi me with what you think are the best exercises to do this??

Replies

  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    What works for me:

    #1 Bellydance! The isolation required for bellyrolls, etc is an immense help, and a lot of the moves are done with the lower abs moving the pelvis. It's the most fun ab workout :)

    #2 Regular old leg lifts like back in gym days. I weight mine, but watch your lower back, of course. Use one leg at a time for ease if needed.

    #3 Reverse crunches -- especially the kind where you actually lift your hips and legs up -- are very good, too. They are probably safer on the back, and you can use weights for those too if you feel like going heavier.

    Just my favorites :)
  • SSAHM
    SSAHM Posts: 172 Member
    thanks for the reply. Anyone else have any tips?
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    Abs are made in the kitchen. The only way to have a flat belly is to lose the fat. The only way to do that is to create a caloric deficit. You can do that through diet alone, diet and cardio or diet, cardio and strength. You cannot out train a bad diet. So, get your diet in check, eat below maintenance calories. Do some cardio you like to increase deficit. Do some strength training with a decent amount of weight, doesn't have to be HEAVY, but. No 5 pound DBS, either, and the ST will help you hang on to muscle while more loss comes from fat. My belly has been the last to shrink, but it's getting there.
  • Terree_G
    Terree_G Posts: 69 Member
    The belly fat is often the last to go, sadly, and trying to lose it through isolation exercises, such as crunches, will not work. It's the loss of overall body fat that helps diminish the tummy. I lost a few inches last year, but the stubborn layer that drives me nuts is still there 9 months into this year (diet, cardio and strength training notwithstanding...). For my age, I'm doing weights that are impressively heavier than most of the women I see at the gym, so I am not sure what I can improve, other than my patience. I'm told time and time again that perseverance is essential. So I am working on overall fitness and hoping that the belly pooch eventually goes away. Good luck with your efforts!
  • samgolod
    samgolod Posts: 93 Member
    squats really work for me especially if you do them with weights....also check out '8 minute abs' on Youtube, cheesey 90's music but they work.
  • Aparz1
    Aparz1 Posts: 949
    Abs are more determined by your % of body fat... I'm not sure trying to spot train will get you the results.
  • drop_it_like_a_squat
    drop_it_like_a_squat Posts: 377 Member
    Abs are made in the kitchen. The only way to have a flat belly is to lose the fat. The only way to do that is to create a caloric deficit. You can do that through diet alone, diet and cardio or diet, cardio and strength. You cannot out train a bad diet. So, get your diet in check, eat below maintenance calories. Do some cardio you like to increase deficit. Do some strength training with a decent amount of weight, doesn't have to be HEAVY, but. No 5 pound DBS, either, and the ST will help you hang on to muscle while more loss comes from fat. My belly has been the last to shrink, but it's getting there.

    Pretty much this. But go for the heavy stuff.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Hanging leg raises - very good for working lower abs.

    Sit ups on a gym ball - instability of the ball makes it a much more effective exercise (when it gets easy hold a dumbell under your chin....)

    Single dumbell side bends for obliques.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    Oh, you can't actually see my lower abs, because I have fat there, yeah! That doesn't mean you can't get them stronger. It depends on what you mean by tone up, I guess :)

    Strong lower abs really help protect the lower back and improve a lot of posture (think spinal) problems that involve the pelvis.

    Abs aren't made in the kitchen ;) Not if we're talking strength! If you're talking about looking good in a bikini or shirtless for guys, well yeah. Fat is its own problem, lol.
  • calliekitten9
    calliekitten9 Posts: 148 Member
    I have an ab video that I do every day that is 30 minutes. I really enjoy it.

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