Question about Abdominal Toning

monstermashhhhedpotatoes
monstermashhhhedpotatoes Posts: 21 Member
edited November 14 in Fitness and Exercise
I'd like to tone up around my abdomen and love handles, and I was wondering what exercises would be good for that which don't include a lot of cardio

Any tips or information would be incredibly helpful, because I literally know nothing about targeted areas, haha

Replies

  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    You can't target fat loss (spot reduce). Just make sure to eat in a deficit and it will come off eventually.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    Exercise is for fitness and health. Calorie deficit for weight loss. Exercising any part of the body won't target fat loss. So staying in a moderate calorie deficit WITH patience will do the trick. And you should do exercise to "tone up" the MUSCLE underneath your body fat. Cardio for exercising your heart.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • monstermashhhhedpotatoes
    monstermashhhhedpotatoes Posts: 21 Member
    @galgenstrick @ninerbuff, I understand completely that fat loss cannot be targeted. I was referring to muscle gain. So, if I can, I'll edit the post and phrase it better to show that, but what exercises target toning abdominal muscles?
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    Some good exercises are ab roller, weighted captains chair leg raises, weighted hanging leg raises, cable crunches.
  • monstermashhhhedpotatoes
    monstermashhhhedpotatoes Posts: 21 Member
    @galgenstrick thank you!
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    soullessmuffins wrote: »
    @galgenstrick @ninerbuff, I understand completely that fat loss cannot be targeted. I was referring to muscle gain. So, if I can, I'll edit the post and phrase it better to show that, but what exercises target toning abdominal muscles?

    You cannot tone a muscle. You can increase total muscle mass through progressive overload and a surplus, or you can increase muscle definition by reducing total body fat through a caloric deficit.


    Hanging leg raises
    Captains chair leg raises
    Crunches
    V sit ups
    Russian twists
    Cable crunches
    Cable twist
    Deadlifts
    Side crunches
    Planks upon planks
    Ab roll outs


  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    soullessmuffins wrote: »
    @galgenstrick @ninerbuff, I understand completely that fat loss cannot be targeted. I was referring to muscle gain. So, if I can, I'll edit the post and phrase it better to show that, but what exercises target toning abdominal muscles?
    Well you mentioned love handles and that's usually fat, so I responded in kind.
    If you're just looking to condition your abs (you don't want to gain too much muscle you your abs or your waist will be bigger), stick to the basics: A leg lift of any type, a crunch (I prefer ball crunches), and rotational (twisting) exercise. There are lots on youtube you can view for free.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • monstermashhhhedpotatoes
    monstermashhhhedpotatoes Posts: 21 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    soullessmuffins wrote: »
    @galgenstrick @ninerbuff, I understand completely that fat loss cannot be targeted. I was referring to muscle gain. So, if I can, I'll edit the post and phrase it better to show that, but what exercises target toning abdominal muscles?
    Well you mentioned love handles and that's usually fat, so I responded in kind.
    If you're just looking to condition your abs (you don't want to gain too much muscle you your abs or your waist will be bigger), stick to the basics: A leg lift of any type, a crunch (I prefer ball crunches), and rotational (twisting) exercise. There are lots on youtube you can view for free.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png


    Ah, sorry for the confusion. I just meant around the area--I don't know what the muscles are called on my sides so I used love handles as a pointer, if that makes sense?
    But okay! Thank you! I'll look into that today!
  • crista19822015
    crista19822015 Posts: 4 Member
    To reduce love handles you need to work out your sides. Like: side plank, weighted side bend, alternating heel touch, side crunches, Russian twist these all work that area which will help reduce the fat
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    soullessmuffins wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    soullessmuffins wrote: »
    @galgenstrick @ninerbuff, I understand completely that fat loss cannot be targeted. I was referring to muscle gain. So, if I can, I'll edit the post and phrase it better to show that, but what exercises target toning abdominal muscles?
    Well you mentioned love handles and that's usually fat, so I responded in kind.
    If you're just looking to condition your abs (you don't want to gain too much muscle you your abs or your waist will be bigger), stick to the basics: A leg lift of any type, a crunch (I prefer ball crunches), and rotational (twisting) exercise. There are lots on youtube you can view for free.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png


    Ah, sorry for the confusion. I just meant around the area--I don't know what the muscles are called on my sides so I used love handles as a pointer, if that makes sense?
    But okay! Thank you! I'll look into that today!

    Obliques.

    You have to assess and pick a goal. If you have fat, get in a deficit to lose it. If you're lean and really want to build muscle...do the ab crap. (sorry I haven't done abs in two years, don't know what they are). If you're in a surplus and really want to gain muscle, and you train abs, your waist measurement may/will increase.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    https://www.amazon.com/Pilates-Conditioning-Weight-Suzanne-Deason/dp/B00006473D
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Deficit to lose, or you can do a recomp. I find heavy compound lifting/strength training gets the abs without actually "targeting" them. I also like Jillian Michaels' six week six pack ab video, but it does contain cardio...
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    If you're not currently doing squats and deadlifts, using heavy weight, that's what i would start with.
    But most trainers would recommend following an established, full-body program instead of piecing together your own routine, which will probably end up imbalanced. If you need help choosing a program, tell us what equipment you have access to. :+1:
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    crista19822015 wrote: »
    To reduce love handles you need to work out your sides. Like: side plank, weighted side bend, alternating heel touch, side crunches, Russian twist these all work that area which will help reduce the fat

    NO, you cant spot reduce fat. those will strengthen the muscles up underneath but it wont reduce the fat,only a calorie deficit can do that.
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