The upper tummy contains the upper part of the rectus abdominis muscle which starts right below your chest. To flatten this area of your body, you need to do upper ab exercises while simultaneously burning fat. If you just do ab exercises without burning fat, your stomach will remain large and you will experience strong, defined muscles that will never be seen.
Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardio is a must when you want a flat stomach. Any form of cardio will burn calories and reduce your upper tummy flab, provided you perform it at a moderate to high intensity. Running, indoor cycling, versa climbing, kick boxing, dance aerobics and swimming are examples. Aim for 45 minutes of cardio and do it four to five days a week.
Planks
Plank poses are yoga exercises that are often used to strengthen the wrists and arms. As an added benefit, they are also intense ab exercises. To do these, lie on your stomach with your hands under your shoulders and your toes hip-width apart behind you. In a controlled motion, push yourself up, fully extend your arms and lift your hips to form a straight line from your shoulders to your heels. When doing this, feel the contraction in your upper ab area. Hold this position for 30 to 45 seconds.
Ball Crunches
Ball crunches are performed on an exercise ball. Lie face-up on the ball with your head and shoulders slightly elevated. Your knees should be bent and your feet should be shoulder-width apart and firmly planted on the floor at this point. After placing your hands on the sides of your head, move your body forward and squeeze your abs forcefully. Slowly lower and repeat for 15 to 20 reps. You can increase the resistance with this exercise by holding a medicine ball or weight plate against your chest.
Long Lever Crunch
A long lever crunch is performed with a bench or exercise ball. Lie face-up on the floor with your heels placed on the bench, your arms extended behind your head and your hands clasped. In a controlled motion, raise your upper body and squeeze your abs forcefully. Slowly lower and repeat for 15 to 20 reps.
V-Up
A V-up is a more intense variation of the long lever crunch. Lie flat on your back with your arms overhead and your legs straight. In a steady motion, lift your arms and legs off the floor, move them toward each other and try to touch your hands to your toes. You should be balancing on your butt at this point. Once you have held this position briefly, lower yourself down and repeat 15 to 20 times.
Dead Bugs
Dead bugs are isometric exercises that are performed on a BOSU. This is a training tool that looks like an exercise ball that has been cut in half. It has an inflated dome side and a flat side. To do deadbugs, use the BOSU with the dome side up. Lie on your back with your arms extended straight above you, your legs lifted, knees bent 90 degrees and shins level with the floor. Hold this position for 20 to 30 seconds.
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