Losing/ Toning the belly?

[mpm1987]

Over the last 8 months, I have lose approx 2 stone, and almost 4 inches round the waist, 2 inches round the neck, and so on.


Now I'm starting to buy new clothes, as obviously my old ones arent fitting well anymore, however, I still have a bit of a belly, and its a bit squishy? if it can be described as that?

At the gym, I normally go 3 times a week, I do Running, Cross Trainer, and Rowing machine.

Now I know sit-ups are great for toning the stomach, but what else can I do to try shift it?

Thanks Guys!

[tricky69]

you will tend to find that the most effective way to tone any area up is to focus on it... With the stomach there are many ways, such as sit ups, hanging leg raises etc but there are almost too many !

Best way is to try a few and then decided which work best, core training is very good as it is a more natural way to get your body to work... it might not lead to a six pack but will firm your stomach up

if all else fails - slendertone it up !

[shakotan]

tricky69 said:

you will tend to find that the most effective way to tone any area up is to focus on it... With the stomach there are many ways, such as sit ups, hanging leg raises etc but there are almost too many !

Best way is to try a few and then decided which work best, core training is very good as it is a more natural way to get your body to work... it might not lead to a six pack but will firm your stomach up

if all else fails - slendertone it up !

You can exercise the stomach all you want, it wont make any difference if there's a layer of fat covering the abs. The only way you'll get rid of your belly is diet and cardio.

Edited by shakotan on Monday 15th June 16:37

[TristanGardner]

Sit ups will not tone up the abs.

All muscles in the body are built to work in 3 different directions. Doing sit ups will only work 1 direction. The reason why the body has muscles in the core area is to aid the connection between the arms and the legs.

Therefore the best way to start getting this whole area working is to use some weight (only 1 or 2 kg needed) and perform a movement which uses the arms and legs.

Ever looked at a sprinter and wondered why they have great six packs? And no, running alone will not give you a six pack.

Tris

[ShadownINja]

shakotan said:

tricky69 said:

you will tend to find that the most effective way to tone any area up is to focus on it... With the stomach there are many ways, such as sit ups, hanging leg raises etc but there are almost too many !

Best way is to try a few and then decided which work best, core training is very good as it is a more natural way to get your body to work... it might not lead to a six pack but will firm your stomach up

if all else fails - slendertone it up !

You can exercise the stomach all you want, it wont make any difference if there's a layer of fat covering the abs. The only way you'll get rid of your belly is diet and cardio.

Edited by shakotan on Monday 15th June 16:37

Yep.

[tricky69]

shakotan said:

tricky69 said:

you will tend to find that the most effective way to tone any area up is to focus on it... With the stomach there are many ways, such as sit ups, hanging leg raises etc but there are almost too many !

Best way is to try a few and then decided which work best, core training is very good as it is a more natural way to get your body to work... it might not lead to a six pack but will firm your stomach up

if all else fails - slendertone it up !

You can exercise the stomach all you want, it wont make any difference if there's a layer of fat covering the abs. The only way you'll get rid of your belly is diet and cardio.

Edited by shakotan on Monday 15th June 16:37

well thats a given, i assumed the op was dieting as well ! Not some fat boy eating pies as they do sit ups ! hahaha

[SoapyShowerBoy]

Congrats on your weight loss!


Do you do any weight training?

If not, even just incorporating a bench press or dumbell press should improve your core strength and have a positive effect on the firmness 'under' your belly. Sticking to your diet and keeping the cardio up is a good move too.

[mpm1987]

Thanks guys!

Will bear these ideas in mind.

Looks like I will be carrying on with the cardio then.

Ive not looked at doing weights before.

[swansea v6]

As you are using a gym speak to one of the trainers and ask them to set you up a full body workout utilising the stability ball. i.e. ball squat/shoulder dumbell press in same movement, dumbell chest press on ball, etc, this can be worked into your existing programme and will mean you are performing a cardio workout, muscle strengthening workout and core workout all in the one routine.

Also to develop your core ask to be shown "the plank" "side plank" etc......

[ShadownINja]

tricky69 said:

shakotan said:

tricky69 said:

you will tend to find that the most effective way to tone any area up is to focus on it... With the stomach there are many ways, such as sit ups, hanging leg raises etc but there are almost too many !

Best way is to try a few and then decided which work best, core training is very good as it is a more natural way to get your body to work... it might not lead to a six pack but will firm your stomach up

if all else fails - slendertone it up !

You can exercise the stomach all you want, it wont make any difference if there's a layer of fat covering the abs. The only way you'll get rid of your belly is diet and cardio.

Edited by shakotan on Monday 15th June 16:37

well thats a given, i assumed the op was dieting as well ! Not some fat boy eating pies as they do sit ups ! hahaha

You laugh but millions think this is possible thanks to those ads from the 90s advertising those crunch contraptions as the way to an "amazing beach body".

[F and F]

Have you considered doing Pilates? It works your Core and I did a 6 week course and really felt the difference in my stomach, it is just expensive to continue as my gym don’t offer it as a class.

There are lots of courses around the UK so have a look and see. You can also buy books which show you the moves.

[ShadownINja]

Pilates is good... in fact, it's actually useful, as it builds core muscles. However, doesn't the OP just want a pretty boy six pack not useful core strength?

Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 17th June 16:14

[F and F]

TristanGardner said:

Ever looked at a sprinter and wondered why they have great six packs?

Same with long distance runners too! I am not sure of my friend's routine but he is out on long distance runs almost everyday as well as weight training and gym sessions.