While it is not possible to "spot reduce" any one area of the body, you can isolate and work specific muscles to strengthen and improve both the function and appearance of the belly. To target the lower belly, you can do many variations of crunches. To prevent creating muscle imbalances, work all the important muscles of the belly -- upper, lower and side.
Roman Chair Ab Exercise
Using a Roman Chair in the gym enables you to work the lowest part of the belly, the transversus abdominis muscles. The Roman Chair allows you to hold side hand grips and lift yourself up so that your feet are elevated off the floor about a foot and half. Begin by grasping the hand grips at the sides while you engage the lower abdominal muscles -- then bend the knees and bring them up to the chest. Pause for a moment before lowering your legs. Perform this exercise eight times and rest by placing your feet on the foot rests. Then do two more sets of eight repetitions each.
High-Bar Abs Exercise
Find a straight bar either at the gym or a playground. Step up or jump up to grasp it so that your palms face away from you. Let your feet hang at first and, drawing in the lower abs, bring the knees up to the chest to the right before lowering down. Repeat and now aim the knees toward the left. Similar to the Roman Chair exercise, you are working your lower abs and now including the side obliques to keep your trunk and lower back stable. Do three sets of eight reps each.
To challenge yourself, do the same movements with your legs fully extended straight.
Swiss Ball Ab Workout
Use a small inflatable Swiss ball and move to the floor for the last rounds of lower ab work. Lying flat on your back, place the very light Swiss ball between your inner ankles. Place your palms flat on the floor under your hips to safeguard your lower back. Draw the lower abs in toward the spine and lift your legs so your heels are flexed and the soles of the feet face the ceiling. The Swiss ball is wedged between your feet. Keeping your lower abs engaged, slowly lower your legs toward the floor until you hover just above it. Lift the Swiss ball back up to above your hips. Perform as many reps as you can for 1 minute or until you reach muscular fatigue. Then rest.
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