A leading exercise guru has shared four ‘effective’ ways to burn belly fat – which she says is ‘crucial’ for weight loss.
1. Interval training
Interval training is a form of cardio where you alternate between periods of high and low intensity. This type of exercise is particularly effective at burning belly fat, as it forces your body to use up more energy.
2. Strength training
While cardio is important for burning fat, strength training is also crucial. This is because muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue, even when at rest. So, by building more muscle, you’ll boost your metabolism and burn more fat.
3. High-intensity interval training
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a more advanced form of interval training. As the name suggests, it involves periods of very high-intensity exercise, followed by brief periods of rest. HIIT is an excellent way to burn belly fat, as it increases your metabolism and burns calories even after you’ve stopped working out.
4. Circuit training
Circuit training is a type of strength training that involves moving from one exercise to another with little rest in between. This makes it a great way to burn fat, as it keeps your heart rate up and helps you build muscle.
If you’re looking to lose belly fat, an expert says you need to focus on four key areas.
Exercise guru James Duigan, the man behind Elle Macpherson’s incredible post-baby body, says there are four “effective” ways to target the abdominal fat.
He told Daily Mail Online: “People focus on endless crunches and sit-ups but they don’t work the deep abdominal muscles that support your spine and hold in your stomach.”
Here, James – who is the founder of Bodyism and author of Clean and Lean Flat Tummy Fast! – shares his four tips for a flatter tummy…
1. Pelvic floor: The first step to a flatter tummy is to Fortify your pelvic floor muscles.
“This is the layer of muscle that lies between your legs and supports your pelvic organs,” James explains.
“When it’s strong, it pulls in your stomach and gives you a flatter tummy. When it’s weak, it can cause incontinence and a ‘mummy tummy’.”
To work your pelvic floor, James recommends doing Kegels – the act of repeatedly contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles.
2. Lower abs: The next step is to focus on your lower abs.
“People tend to store fat around the lower belly so this is an area you really need to focus on,” James says.
To target your lower abs, James recommends the Pilates move, the single-leg stretch.
3. Deep abdominal muscles: The third step is to work your deep abdominal muscles.
“These are the muscles that sit underneath your six-pack and wrap around your sides,” James explains.
“Most people don’t even know they have them but they are crucial for a flatter tummy.”
To work your deep abdominal muscles, James recommends the Pilates move, the double leg kick.
4. Upper abs: The fourth and final step is to focus on your upper abs.
“This is the area that a lot of people focus on when they’re trying to lose weight but it’s not the most important area for a flatter tummy,” James says.
“That said, it’s still important to work on your upper abs to give you a complete abdominal workout.”
To work your upper abs, James recommends the Pilates move, the single leg lift.
