Blog
Practical articles on training, health, and moving well — written for people whose situations are rarely straightforward.
Myth Buster: Will ab exercises give me a flat stomach?
Will ab exercises give me a flat stomach?
No.
Ab exercises cannot burn tummy fat so will not give you a flat stomach.
There is no nice way of saying this, so I'll just say it as it is. You could go and do thousands of crunches every day for the rest of your life, but if you've got a layer of fat on the top, then you are not going to get a flat stomach.
Ab exercises are essential for a strong core. But compound exercises (squats, deadlift, rows, bench press) done with correct form will work your core. On top of that, they will burn more calories which will be much more helpful in starting to shift the tummy.
By all means, spend 5 — 10 minutes per workout doing ab exercises but do not waste your time doing any more than that and do not get tricked into these "28 days to a flat stomach" workouts online. Your time can be spent much more wisely.
Craig Blackman
Personal Trainer, Worthing
I am passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals through personalised training and evidence-based coaching.
In this article
Recent Articles
Popular Posts
View AllMyth Buster: Does resistance training cause high blood pressure?
Myth Buster: Does resistance training cause high blood pressure? No! In fact strength training has been proven to help lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart us
Read More...
The importance of staying hydrated
Why is it important to stay hydrated? During the recent warmer weeks you have probably naturally been drinking more water however, staying hydrated is a daily necessity regardless of the temperature.
Read More...BMI an outdated & inaccurate assessment of a healthy body weight
BMI or body mass index has been used for decades as the go to measurement for health. However, BMI does not take into account what the body is composed of, i.e muscle mass, bone density and overall bo
Read More...Book a Personal Training Session in Worthing
Want a simple plan based on your body and goals? Book a free consultation and I will map out a safe, personalised approach that feels good and fits your week.