Muscle is the furnace for burning fat, and cardiovascular exercise fires up the furnace to further increase fat loss. Leaning out the stomach, thighs and butt requires decreasing your overall body fat percentage; spot reduction is not possible. Incorporate a combination of strength training and cardiovascular exercises into your exercise routine to help burn fat off of the midsection and lower body fast.
Stability Ball Roll-Outs
Stability ball roll-outs recruit the abdominal muscles while engaging the obliques and lower back. Begin on your knees with the elbows on top of the ball. Roll the ball forward with your elbows until the spine is in alignment from the head to the knees. Slowly roll the ball backward and return to the starting position. Repeat for four sets of 12 repetitions.
Jump Squats
Jump squats tone the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calves while increasing the heart rate to increase fat burn. Stand with your feet in a wide stance, with toes facing forward. Lower your hips toward the ground until the thighs are parallel to the floor. Jump up and land in the squat position. Repeat the exercise for four sets of 12 repetitions.
Side Bridges
Side bridges develop the abs and core muscles while targeting the obliques. Lie on your right side with your right elbow supporting the upper body. Extend your legs straight with both feet together. Press up onto your right elbow and lift the hips off of the floor. Maintain a static hold for 30 seconds while keeping the spine in a straight line from head to toe. Repeat the hold for four sets of 30 seconds on each side.
Mountain Climbers
Mountain climbers work the arms, core and legs. Doing mountain climbers develop muscle while increasing the heart rate for an anaerobic and aerobic workout. Begin on the floor in a pushup position. Bring your left knee in toward the chest while the left leg remains extended. Quickly switch legs, bringing the right knee into the chest. Continue alternating legs in a running motion for four sets of 20 repetitions on each leg.
References
- Bodybuilding.com: Bodyweight Workouts
- Bodybuilding.com: 10 Bodypart Target Training Series -- Your Quest At Chiseling Rock-Hard Abs
- "Weight Training Manual"; National Federation of Professional Trainers; 2006



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