Belly fat is one of the most common and stubborn types of fat that people struggle with. It not only makes you look unappealing, but it’s also detrimental to your health.
Excess belly fat can increase your risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Therefore, it’s important to take steps to reduce your belly fat. One of the best ways to do this is through exercise. In this article, we’ll go over the top 30 exercises to blast away belly fat.
1. Crunches
Crunches are a classic exercise that is excellent for targeting your abdominal muscles. To do a crunch, lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the ground, and hands behind your head.
Then, lift your upper body off the ground towards your knees, contracting your abs as you do so. Lower your body back down and repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
2. Mountain climbers
Mountain climbers are a great exercise that works your entire body, especially your core. To do mountain climbers, start in a high plank position with your hands on the ground and your feet behind you.
Bring your right knee toward your chest, then quickly switch and bring your left knee toward your chest, almost as if you are running in place. Keep alternating legs for a total of three sets of 30 to 60 seconds.
3. Russian twists
Russian twists target your oblique muscles, which are located on either side of your abdomen. To do Russian twists, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Then, lean back slightly and lift your feet off the ground.
Hold a weight or a medicine ball in your hands, and twist your torso to the right, then to the left, using your oblique muscles to power the movement. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
4. Plank with leg lift
The plank with leg lift is a great exercise that targets your core and glutes. To do a plank with leg lift, start in a high plank position with your hands on the ground and your feet behind you.
Lift your right leg off the ground, keeping your abs tight and your body in a straight line. Lower your leg back down and repeat with your left leg. Continue alternating legs for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
5. Bicycle crunches
Bicycle crunches are another great exercise that targets your abs. To do bicycle crunches, lie on your back with your knees bent and your hands behind your head.
Lift your head, shoulders, and upper back off the ground, and at the same time, bring your right elbow toward your left knee. Straighten your right leg out in front of you while keeping your left knee bent. Then, bring your left elbow toward your right knee while straightening your left leg out in front of you.
Keep alternating sides for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
6. Burpees
Burpees are a challenging full-body exercise that is great for blasting belly fat. To do a burpee, start in a standing position. Quickly squat down and place your hands on the ground in front of you.
Jump your feet back until you are in a high plank position. Do a push-up, then jump your feet forward and stand up. Finish the exercise with a jump at the top. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
7. Side plank with leg lift
The side plank with leg lift is an excellent exercise that targets your obliques and glutes. To do this exercise, start in a side plank position with your elbow on the ground and your feet stacked on top of each other.
Lift your top leg off the bottom leg, then lower it back down. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.
8. High knees
High knees are a great cardiovascular exercise that also targets your abs. To do high knees, stand in place and lift your knees up toward your chest, one leg at a time, as quickly as you can. Continue for a total of three sets of 30 to 60 seconds.
9. Side crunches
Side crunches target your oblique muscles, which are located on either side of your abdomen. To do side crunches, lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the ground. Place your right ankle on your left knee.
Place your right hand behind your head and lift your upper body off the ground, bringing your right elbow to your left knee. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.
10. Lunge twist
The lunge twist is an exercise that targets your legs, glutes, and core. To do a lunge twist, start in a lunge position with your right foot in front of your left foot. Lower your body into a lunge, then twist your torso to the right.
Return to center and stand up, then repeat on the other side. Do a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.
11. Single-leg plank
The single-leg plank is an advanced exercise that targets your entire core. To do a single-leg plank, start in a high plank position with your hands on the ground and your feet behind you.
Lift your right leg off the ground, keeping your body in a straight line. Hold for 10 seconds, then lower your leg and repeat on the other side. Continue alternating legs for a total of three sets.
12. Cross-body mountain climbers
Cross-body mountain climbers are a variation of mountain climbers that target your oblique muscles. To do cross-body mountain climbers, start in a high plank position with your hands on the ground and your feet behind you.
Bring your right knee toward your left elbow, then switch and bring your left knee toward your right elbow. Keep alternating sides for a total of three sets of 30 to 60 seconds.
13. V-ups
V-ups are an advanced exercise that is great for targeting your abs. To do v-ups, lie on your back with your legs straight and your arms stretched above your head.
Simultaneously lift your torso and legs off the ground, reaching your hands toward your feet. Hold for a moment, then lower your body back down. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
14. Plank with arm raise
The plank with arm raise is an excellent exercise that targets your core and shoulders. To do this exercise, start in a high plank position with your hands on the ground and your feet behind you.
Lift your right arm off the ground, keeping your body in a straight line. Hold for a moment, then lower your arm and repeat on the other side. Continue alternating sides for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
15. Spiderman plank
The spiderman plank is another variation of the plank that targets your oblique muscles. To do a spiderman plank, start in a high plank position with your hands on the ground and your feet behind you.
Bring your right knee toward your right elbow, then switch and bring your left knee toward your left elbow. Keep alternating sides for a total of three sets of 30 to 60 seconds.
16. Russian twist with medicine ball
The Russian twist with a medicine ball is a more challenging variation of the Russian twist that targets your oblique muscles. To do a Russian twist with a medicine ball, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground.
Hold a medicine ball in your hands, and twist your torso to the right, then to the left, using your oblique muscles to power the movement. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
17. Pike push-up
The pike push-up is an exercise that targets your shoulders and core. To do a pike push-up, start in a downward-facing dog position with your hands on the ground and your hips lifted high.
Slowly lower your head toward the ground, then push back up to the starting position. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
18. Leg raises
Leg raises are an excellent exercise that targets your lower abs. To do leg raises, lie on your back with your legs straight and your arms at your sides. Raise your legs up until they are perpendicular to the ground, then lower them back down.
Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
19. Plank with hip twist
The plank with hip twist is an advanced exercise that targets your oblique muscles. To do a plank with hip twist, start in a high plank position with your hands on the ground and your feet behind you.
Twist your hips to the right, bringing your right hip toward the ground. Return to center, then twist your hips to the left. Continue alternating sides for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
20. Roll-up
The roll-up is a classic Pilates exercise that targets your abs. To do a roll-up, lie on your back with your legs straight and your arms stretched above your head. Roll your body up, reaching your hands toward your toes.
Slowly lower your body back down to the starting position. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
21. Jump rope
Jump rope is a fun and effective cardiovascular exercise that can help you blast away belly fat. To do jump rope, simply jump rope as quickly as you can for a total of three sets of 30 to 60 seconds.
22. Scissor kicks
Scissor kicks are a great exercise that targets your lower abs and legs. To do scissor kicks, lie on your back with your legs straight and your arms at your sides. Lift your legs a few inches off the ground, then scissor them back and forth.
Keep your core engaged the whole time. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
23. Plank with knee tuck
The plank with knee tuck is an exercise that targets your abs and hip flexors. To do a plank with knee tuck, start in a high plank position with your hands on the ground and your feet behind you.
Bring your right knee toward your chest, then return to the starting position. Repeat on the other side, then continue alternating sides for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
24. Squat thrusts
Squat thrusts are a challenging full-body exercise that can help you blast away belly fat. To do squat thrusts, start in a standing position. Quickly squat down and place your hands on the ground in front of you.
Jump your feet back until you are in a high plank position. Do a push-up, then jump your feet forward and stand up. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
25. Hollow body hold
The hollow body hold is an advanced exercise that targets your entire core. To do a hollow body hold, lie on your back with your arms stretched above your head.
Lift your legs and upper body off the ground at the same time, creating a hollow space between your lower back and the ground. Hold for a total of 30 to 60 seconds, then rest and repeat for a total of three sets.
26. Bench hops
Bench hops are a cardiovascular exercise that targets your legs and core. To do bench hops, stand behind a bench or step. Quickly hop up onto the bench with both feet, then hop back down. Repeat for a total of three sets of 30 to 60 seconds.
27. Windshield wipers
Windshield wipers target your oblique muscles and lower abs. To do windshield wipers, lie on your back with your arms at your sides and your legs straight up in the air.
Lower your legs to one side, bringing them as close to the ground as possible without touching. Lift your legs back up to the starting position, then lower them to the other side. Continue alternating sides for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.
28. Squat with side leg lift
The squat with side leg lift is an exercise that targets your legs, glutes, and core. To do a squat with side leg lift, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Lower your body into a squat, then lift your left leg toward your left side, keeping your core tight. Return to center, then stand up and repeat on the other side. Do a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.
29. Russian twist with dumbbell
The Russian twist with a dumbbell is a variation of the Russian twist that adds extra resistance. To do a Russian twist with a dumbbell, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground.
Hold a dumbbell in your hands, and twist your torso to the right, then to the left, using your oblique muscles to power the movement. Repeat for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
30. Standing knee tucks
Standing knee tucks are a great exercise that targets your abs and hip flexors. To do standing knee tucks, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Lift your right knee toward your chest, then lower it back down.
Repeat on the other side, then continue alternating sides for a total of three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.