Exercises For Men To Flatten The Lower Stomach Area

Men tend to deposit excess fat primarily in the lower abdominal area. Although it is not possible to spot reduce body fat, it is true that muscle burns fat, and the more muscle you have in any given area, the more fat the body will burn. For this reason, it is essential for men to build as much muscle in the lower abdominal region as possible to expedite fat burning and, consequently, have a flatter tummy, and there are several exercises that help to do that.

Reverse Crunches

You can do reverse crunches lying on the floor or a bench. Also, you can do them without weights or resistance, on a stability ball or with a medicine ball. The goal is to bring the legs up toward the upper torso from either a straight-legged or a bent-knee position. You complete the move at the point where the buttocks are lifted slightly off the floor or bench. From the straight-leg position, point the soles of your feet directly toward the ceiling at the end of the move. Your knees should be aimed at your head at the completion of this move. For a greater challenge, place a stability ball behind the knees during the execution or a medicine ball between the knees to increase the intensity.

Hanging Leg Raises

Hanging leg raises are a bit more challenging; however, if done correctly, they are great for targeting the lower abdominals. To do this exercise hang from a pull-up bar or utilize hanging straps for additional. From a fully extended hanging position, bring the knees up toward the torso. To best isolate the lower abs, perform this in a bent-knee fashion. Many times people execute the move with straight leg lifts, which is not the correct way to do it. This version will fatigue the hip flexor muscles, disallowing you the chance to maximize contraction of the lower abdominals.

Stability Ball Pikes

Another challenging but effective lower-abdominal exercise is the stability ball pike. Although you feel the benefits throughout the entire core region, ball pikes engage the lower abs without fatiguing the hip flexor muscles prematurely. Starting in a prone plank position on the ball with the ball resting below your knees, lift your hips upward. The ball should roll down the leg toward the feet. At the top of the move, your body should resemble an upside down letter "V." As this is more of an advanced move, an acceptable modification would be to begin with the ball resting at the thighs. Instead of performing a straght-legged pike, you would bring the knees in toward the upper body. As your core becomes stronger, you can progress to the more advanced move.