With ageing, belly fat creeps in like an inevitable demon. Increasing fat around the waistline is pretty common among people over 30. However, people at a very young age can also develop belly fat due to various reasons like an unhealthy lifestyle, lack of physical activities etc. Belly fat build-up usually starts with ageing because the portion of fat increases with age and the muscle mass reduces because of that. No matter how innocently it develops, excessive belly fat can be highly alarming as it may lead to several health risks. However, you can tone your beautiful stomach by saying goodbye to belly fat with regular exercise. Let's see why you must get rid of belly fat and which workouts are helpful in doing so. 

 

Is Belly Fat Alarming?

Indeed, it is. Excessive belly fat often leads to health conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Breathing Problems etc. 

 

Due to these risk factors, keeping your belly fat in check is a good idea. There are 3 categories of belly fat: intramuscular, subcutaneous and visceral. Intramuscular fat is located in muscle fibres while subcutaneous fat is the outermost layer of fat right under your epidermis. Visceral fat is the adamant fat that sits deep inside your stomach and is hard to get rid of. The problem with the third one is that even if you have a slim body, normal body mass index and weight, you can still have visceral belly fat developing inside, which can lead to several health problems. 

 

Exercises To Beat Belly Fat

 

There are plenty of workouts that can help you burn calories but not all of them are effective for reducing belly fat. However, engaging actively in physical activities regularly can reflect remarkable changes around your waistline. Here are some workouts that are proven to burn off belly fat faster and offer you a slim and toned waistline. 

 

  • Cardio Workouts 

First thing first, including at least 30 minutes of cardio or aerobic exercise in your fitness routine can be immensely effective for reducing unwanted belly fat. Certain cardio workout ideas that you may try for belly fat are: 

  • Running 
  • Jogging 
  • Walking (at a high pace)
  • Swimming 
  • Cycling 
  • Rowing 

Cardio is the standard workout plan that one needs to start with. However, the rule of thumb is the same for cardio as well. Always opt for a proper fitness sports bra or top and the right bottom.

black women wearing a red sports bra

Choosing a quality fitness outfit for workout would not only optimise your comfort, but also help you in achieving your fitness goal smoothly.

 

  • HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training 

High-intensity interval training or HIIT is an effective fitness routine that consists of intense workouts mixed with low-impact exercise and rest times. Research has shown that HIIT workouts help in improving overall health and controlling weight. 

  • Pushing 
  • Pulling 
  • Deadlifting 
  • Squatting 
  • Loaded Carries 

While including these HIIT workouts to your regular fitness routine can flatten your stomach and offer you a sculpted physique, it's important to use proper gym outfits before jumping into the training.

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Check out Hunnit's sportswear collection to unlock a new workout experience. 

 

  • Weight And Resistance Workout 

Weight training is another primary way to get rid of belly fat. Since muscles are better at burning off calories than fat, especially when your body is resting, developing muscles can help you burn belly fat more effectively. Weight training also includes resistance workouts which can help you to build muscles, increase lean weight, boost BMI and burn belly fat at the same time. 

 

  • Abdominal Workouts  

Since belly fat sits on the stomach area and waistline, abdominal exercises can help you to get rid of it easily. Some abdominal workouts that you may perform at home to reduce belly fat are: 

  • Abdominal Crunches 
  • Leg Lifts 
  • Bicycle Crunches 
  • 1 Minute Planks 

Unless you are wearing the right active bottom, abdominal workouts can be really hard and painful.

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To avoid such discomfort, you may opt for Zen fitness leggings or shorts which are specially designed for active women. 

 

  • Lower Ab Exercises 

 Lower ab exercises are intended to work on key parts of your lower abs and boost their strength to improve stability and posture. Also, these workouts remarkably minimise belly fat while toning and flattening your stomach. 

  • Mountain Climbers 
  • Lying Leg Raises 
  • Scissor Kicks 
  • Toe Touches 
  • Crunches 

For lower ab exercises, you will need the right workout bottoms.

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Since it's summer time, fitness skorts or shorts can be a great option for comfortable exercise. 

 

Conclusion 

While to get rid of belly fat completely, at least 30 minutes of regular exercise is a must, overdoing it or pushing yourself too hard is a big NO. Overtraining may produce excessive cortisol which is the stress hormone and it is responsible for giving your belly fat a significant boost. So pushing harder to burn off belly fat may result in a boomerang. 

 

It's crucial to start slowly, especially when you are starting a new exercise or you are a newbie in fitness regime. Always wear appropriate sports gear for training to avoid pain and muscle cramps. Here are some high-performance activewear options you may choose from. If you struggle with longstanding discomfort or sharp pain, consult a doctor immediately. 

May 31, 2024 — Hunnit hunnit2023@gmail.com