Let’s get real: Summertime is the absolute worst time to have a flabby stomach. It’s hard to hide it at the beach and beyond frustrating to deal with when you want to wear more form-fitting outfits. We here at Eat This Not That! totally get it and have your back. In fact, we’re here to let you in on the best ab exercises to shrink a flabby stomach. We reached out to Gary Gianetti, a personal trainer on Fyt, the nation’s largest personal training service that makes fitness under the expert guidance of an in-person or virtual, certified fitness professional convenient and accessible for anyone. Although a flabby stomach can be a stubborn issue to deal with, if you follow this productive workout routine Gianetti walks us through, you can lose the flab in no time.
Read on to learn more about how to shrink a flabby stomach, and get ready to have some fun in the sun. And next up, check out The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.
First up, Gianetti explains that planks are helpful in stabilizing your core. This exercise will straighten your posture and tighten up your tummy.
To start the movement, get into a tabletop position. Place your palms on the ground right under your shoulders. Next, extend both legs straight back to assume a traditional plank position with your toes on the floor. Keep your navel tight—it should feel close to your spine—and your back straight. This will ensure you’re maintaining solid form.
Gianetti cautions, “It’s easy to let your back round out and hunch your shoulders towards your ears in this position, so try your hardest to be mindful of keeping a good form. That’s the only way you’ll feel a good burn on your abs!” He instructs to hold the plank for 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds. Repeat this 3 times through. He adds, “As you progress, add more time to the plank hold.”
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Next on deck are Bridges, which you may be familiar with. This endurance exercise will make your core, glutes, and back hamstrings ultra-strong. Gianetti explains, “It activates many parts of the core, which can, in turn, help shrink the waist.”
Get started on your back, keeping your feet on the ground and your knees bent upwards. Gianetti instructs, “Begin to hike your glutes up towards the ceiling until your pelvis is slightly lower than your knees. When you reach the full bridge, ensure your core and glutes are engaged and hold for 3 seconds.” To wrap up the movement, gradually bring your glutes back down to the floor. Perform 4 sets of 10 to 12 reps.
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Gianetti says this exercise is truly golden for your abs. You’ll need to have a wheel roller at the ready. Begin the movement on your knees, and place the wheel roller in front of your body. Grab each side of the roller, activate your core, and start to roll the wheel out. Stop once your arms are perpendicular to the door and your upper body is only a few inches above the floor. Stay in this position for a few seconds before you roll the wheel roller back to where you started the exercise. Get ready to feel the burn as you perform 3 sets of 12 reps.
“Cable Woodchopper is one of my favorite ab exercises that targets the obliques,” Gianetti says. “I suggest practicing the exercise without weights first to prevent injuries since the form is trickier to master.”
To get started on the cable machine, adjust the cable to its highest point, face the cable, and step to the left, about 2 feet. Grab onto the handles and bring them past your right shoulder. Diagonally bring the cable down below your left hip, all while keeping your core activated. Reverse the movement gradually to drag the cable back up to where you started the movement.
Gianetti warns, “I can’t stress enough that this exercise is a very controlled movement. Swinging the cable will not engage the core and defeat the purpose of the entire exercise. Add light weight once you begin to feel confident in the movement of the exercise.” Perform 3 sets of 15 reps. Repeat on the other side.
Gianetti explains, “Mountain Climbers are one of the best ways to finish off a workout to help shed an extra inch off the waistline.” Begin the exercise on all fours, then bring your legs back with your feet on the floor to assume a plank. Activate your core, bring your right knee up to your left elbow, and then move it back to the starting position. Once you become comfortable with the exercise, feel free to speed things up for an extra challenge. When one foot goes back to the starting position, immediately bring your other foot to the elbow. Perform 3 sets of 30 seconds.
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Alexa Mellardo
Alexa is the Mind + Body Deputy Editor of Eat This, Not That!, overseeing the M+B channel and delivering compelling fitness, wellness, and self-care topics to readers. Read more
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