8 Exercises and Yoga Asanas to Melt Away Belly Fat

Are you tired of trying to hide your muffin top or belly fat? Do you want to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin? Look no further, because we have compiled a list of 8 exercises and yoga asanas that will help you melt away belly fat and achieve a toned, flat stomach.

So why is belly fat so stubborn? The main reason is that it is made up of both subcutaneous fat (fat that lies just beneath the skin) and visceral fat (fat that surrounds your internal organs). This combination makes it harder to lose compared to other types of fat in the body.

But don’t worry, with the right exercises and yoga asanas, you can target and melt away belly fat for good.

1. Abs Crunches

This is perhaps one of the best exercises to get a flat abdomen, since it helps you burn the fat located in the stomach with ease.

• Lie on your back.
• Bend your knees and place your feet on the mat. Keep them together or in the same position.
• Place your hands behind your head. You should check that your thumbs are behind your ears and that your fingers are supporting you. But don’t intertwine them, as this will add extra pressure on your neck.
• Lift your upper body off the floor. Exhale as you go up and keep your elbows apart. Remember to put pressure on your stomach while doing crunches.
• Return to the starting position. Inhale on the way down.
• Repeat the exercise 10 times. Starting, you can do 3 series. Then you can do 4-5 or more during training.

2. Side curves

This exercise will stretch and strengthen your obliques, preventing the formation of “rolls” or “love handles.”

• You should stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Raise your arms above your head as you inhale.
• Lower your right arm to the right side and stretch the left arm over your head as you exhale, bending your body to the right.
• Return to the starting position with your arms up as you inhale. Do the same exercise for the left side. Make sure you only bend at the waist and use your obliques.
• Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions on each side.

3. Vertical leg raises

This exercise will strengthen your lower abs.

• Lie on your back with your legs straight and together. Keep your arms at your sides.
• Raise both legs, keeping them straight.
• Slowly lower your legs until they are just a little above the floor. Hold this position for a couple of seconds.
• Raise your legs again. Inhale as you lower them and exhale on the way up. If lifting them straight is too difficult for you, you can start by doing the lift with your feet crossed.
• Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions.

4. Forearm plank

This exercise may seem pretty simple at first glance, but it is extremely effective at strengthening your core muscles: abs, diaphragm, and pelvic floor.

• Get into a prone position on your forearms. Keep your shoulders straight over your elbows. Your arms should form a 90-degree angle.
• Take a step back and raise your knees. Maintain a straight line from your heels to the top of your head and look down.
• Tighten your abs and hold the position for as long as you can.

5. Bridge exercise

The full boat pose is the most difficult exercise in our training plan, so if you are a beginner, we recommend starting with simpler exercises.

• Sit with your knees bent and feet on the floor.
• Lean back slightly and lift your feet so your shins are parallel to the floor.
• Stretch your arms forward at shoulder height. Hold this pose with your knees bent for about 30 seconds. Tighten your abs and keep your spine straight.
• Put your feet on the floor and relax for a few seconds.
• Do the exercise again, but this time keep your legs as straight as possible so that your body is in a “V” shape. Don’t forget to put pressure on your abs and keep your back straight.
• Stay firm in this posture for as long as you can. If you feel like you’re losing your V shape, return to the bent-knees position for a few seconds.