Having too much belly fat around your midsection isn't just an aesthetic problem. It can indicate that you have a large amount of visceral fat squeezing in on your internal organs and putting you at an elevated risk for heart disease and stroke. The best exercises for getting rid of belly fat are those that focus on burning fat from your entire body.
Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardiovascular exercise, also know as aerobic exercise, encompasses any activity that gets your heart rate up. An elevated heart rate burns fat and calories. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should get at least 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week to burn fat from your entire body, including your belly. For faster results, you can kick up your routine to last 60 minutes per session. A few exercises you can try include walking, jogging, running, cycling, swimming and aerobics classes.
Interval Training
Interval training is a way to get more calorie-burning action out of your workouts. Also known as high-intensity interval training, this kind of workout uses cardiovascular activities to throw you from intense activity to rest in a short period of time. Interval training makes your body work harder because it can't get used to your exercise pace. For instance, you may run for 30 seconds, then walk for two minutes. Then you'd repeat these activities for the duration of your workout.
The Plank
Though you can't spot reduce your belly fat, you should still perform abdominal-strengthening exercises to tone the underlying muscles for a slimmer look as the fat comes off. The plank is one such exercise. It involves getting in pushup position with your weight on your forearms and elbows and your toes. While keeping your back straight, hold your body in this position for 30 seconds. Your abs should be doing all the work here, not your back.
Crunches
Another abdominal-strengthening exercise you can do is the crunch. This standard ab-toning exercise requires that you lie on the floor, preferably on an exercise mat, with your feet flat and knees bent. With your hands behind your head, tighten your abs and lift your shoulders off the floor. Don't thrust your neck forward. Keep looking forward and relax your shoulders. Lower back down and repeat until your abs burn.
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