Your lower stomach is probably one of the hardest places of your stomach to get flat. But it is an important area of your stomach because if it isn’t toned properly, it really isn’t very attractive at all. Below you will find some exercises that will help you to tone your lower stomach muscles. But remember that you need to first change your diet because exercise alone will not reduce fat. Learn about the anatomy of your lower stomach.
Lower stomach fat
Your lower stomach area is where extra fat starts to build first. So naturally, it will be the last place that you will lose it. The muscles in your lower stomach can be toned so that the muscles don’t sag and so that they better support the weight that is on them, giving your stomach a slightly better appearance. But this is not a remedy for the overall problem that you face, the fact is that you have built up too much extra fat. You need to lose this excess weight before toning your lower stomach muscles will have any visible effect.
Most effective exercise to tone your lower stomach
The most effective exercise to tone your lower stomach is running and other cardio related exercises. Most lower stomach exercises involve the movement of your legs because they are directly linked with your lower stomach. That is why one of the most effective lower stomach exercises is running. Not only will this increase your heart rate and burn extra fat, but it will also tone your lower stomach muscles.
Toning your lower stomach through exercise
While exercise won’t do much to eliminate the fat that is hanging off of your stomach, you can still tone the muscles that lie beneath that. It is likely that your lower abdominal muscles are not very built up and therefore won’t have the sexy look that you want. Don’t you want your lower abs to be firmed and defined for when you do lose the extra weight? Many abdominal exercises don’t have a direct impact on your lower stomach! Here are some exercises that do and will help you get the complete set of ab muscles that you desire.
Vertical Leg Lift
- Lie on the floor and place your hands at your sides touching the floor. You will not be moving them.
- Simultaneously lift your legs, keeping them straight, until they point to the ceiling, while slightly lifting your chest up and torwards your legs.
- Lower your legs and repeat for 12-15 reps.
Keep your legs straight at all times and try to keep them together. Your lower ab muscles should be doing the lifting. Remember it’s not about getting through the reps, but about going through the process and doing each repetition thoroughly.
Elevated Sit-Up
- Lie on your back and bend your knees and place your legs together, on top of a nearby bed or chair.
- Put your arms crossed and flat on your chest, touching the opposite shoulders
- Pull your upper body up and off the floor until your chest touches your knees.
- Lower yourself back to starting position, and repeat the process.
- Reps are based on your conditioning. Start with 15 reps and 3 sets, move that number up or down depending on your current level.
The elevated sit-up differs from the traditional sit-up in that your legs are elevated off the floor. This forces your lower stomach muscles to carry most of the burden to get your upper body off the ground until your chest touches your knees.
These are just a couple of exercises that will greatly impact your lower stomach muscles. Find out more about toning your lower stomach.
