The stomach is difficult to work out for men and women. Though a tummy tuck might sound like a fast, easy solution, there are less invasive ways to get a flatter stomach. Derek Mansfield, a physiotherapist based in Sydney, Australia, advises that sit-ups and regular crunches alone are not adequate to strengthen stomach muscles. Core abdominal exercises work sets of muscles, strengthen the abdominal muscles and burn tummy fat.
Extended Crunch
Mansfield recommends Pilates exercises for core abdominal power workouts. To begin, lie flat on your back on a floor mat. Raise your legs and hold them so they are 45 degrees above the mat. Then lift your arms up and extend them over your chest while raising your legs back to meet them as close as possible. In this position your body should form almost a triangular shape. Hold this position for five seconds, relax and repeat. This exercise can be done with five-pound hand weights as well.
Nose to Knee Crunch
The nose to knee crunch strengthens the abdominal core, hip and buttocks muscles as well as the chest. To begin, place your hands on a stability ball and rest your toes on the floor, as if you were going to do push-ups on the ball. Draw your right knee up toward your nose. Hold for about one second, return to the starting position and do three sets of 15 with each leg.
Side Plank
Amy Dixon, an exercise physiologist in Santa Monica, Calif., recommends the side plank exercise instead of a tummy tuck to improve core abdominal stability and burn stomach fat. Begin by lying on your side on a floor mat. Lift your body up on your elbow, and place your other hand on your hip. Then raise your upper leg as high as comfortably possible. Keep your body straight so that it is only resting on your elbow and lower leg. Hold this position for five to 10 seconds, relax and repeat using each leg.
Rotating Plank
Dixon also recommends this exercise to lose belly fat. Begin in a push-up position on a 12- to 18-inch raised step; a low table can also be used. Rest your hands on the step and your toes on the floor. Then move your body weight to your left arm as you rotate your body to the side and lift your right arm to the ceiling. Hold this position for two to three seconds, return to the starting position and do two sets of 10 on each side.
Back Extension
The back extension uses a stability ball to strengthen the core abdominal muscles. To perform this exercise, lie face down on the stability ball so that your stomach and hips are on the ball and your toes are resting on the floor. Extend your arms out in front of you as if you are trying to fly, and raise one leg about six inches off the floor. Hold for five seconds, relax and repeat two sets of 10 with each leg.
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