Let’s be honest: nobody enjoys dealing with a belly that hangs over their pants. It’s not just uncomfortable, but excess visceral fat can also be a warning sign for future health concerns. One of the most effective ways to reduce hanging belly fat is by increasing your daily activity levels, which helps you burn more calories, maintain a high metabolism, and feel better overall. The good news is, these activities don’t have to be intense!
We’ve put together seven simple daily exercises that target hanging belly fat and help tone your midsection. These exercises are low-intensity, so you can perform them every day without over-exerting yourself. Start small by incorporating a few reps or minutes into your routine, and avoid pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion. As your stamina improves, you can gradually increase the intensity while still feeling energized.
Now, let's explore some of the most productive, low-impact exercises to target hanging belly fat.
Whether you’re a beginner or an Olympic-level athlete, walking every day is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and fitness. It’s beneficial not only for your physical well-being but also for your mental health, and it’s particularly effective for helping to keep your waistline in check.
Invest in a pair of comfortable walking shoes and make time for a daily stroll. You can break it up into shorter walks throughout the day, aiming for a total of 15 to 20 minutes.
Jump Rope
Jumping rope is an excellent, low-impact exercise that enhances your cardiovascular health and overall fitness. It not only helps burn calories but also improves your athleticism and strengthens your feet and ankles. Begin with a few minutes of jumping each day, and as your skills improve, gradually increase the duration or try more challenging variations.
Squats
Squats are an excellent lower-body exercise that works multiple muscle groups and helps burn calories to reduce belly fat. The great thing about bodyweight squats is that they’re low-intensity, making it easy to incorporate a few reps into your daily routine.
How to Do It:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly pointed outward.
- Push your hips back as if you’re sitting in a chair, keeping your knees apart.
- Lower yourself until your thighs are below parallel, keeping your lower back flat.
- Press through your heels to rise back up, ensuring your knees stay apart throughout the movement.
Crawls
Crawls engage nearly every muscle in your body, helping to raise your heart rate and give your body a full workout. While it may feel challenging at first if you’re new to crawling, you’ll quickly build endurance and stamina, allowing you to crawl for longer durations over time.
How to Do It:
- Start on all fours with your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips, keeping your knees about an inch off the ground.
- Crawl forward by stepping with your right arm and left leg simultaneously, then alternate sides.
- Keep your hips low and your head up as you move forward.
Hip Bridges
Hip bridges are an excellent exercise for strengthening the muscles in your backside, boosting calorie burn, and helping you stay slim. They also activate your glutes, which can improve posture and alleviate back or knee pain.
How to Do It:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Press through your heels and squeeze your glutes to lift your hips toward the ceiling.
- Lower your hips back down and repeat.
- Be sure to engage your glutes, not your lower back, to lift your hips.
Dead Bugs
The dead bug is one of the best core exercises for all fitness levels. It's simple to perform, requires no equipment, and effectively targets the muscles in your midsection in a safe and controlled manner.
How to Do It:
- Lie on your back with your arms and knees raised in the air (like a dead bug), pressing your lower back into the ground and lifting your glutes slightly.
- Extend your right arm and left leg simultaneously, keeping your lower back flat on the ground and exhaling fully.
- Return to the starting position and switch sides, repeating the movement.
Reverse Lunges
Lunges are a versatile exercise that you can do anywhere—whether you're watching TV, going for a walk, or taking a quick break at work. They work your entire lower body and are simple enough to fit in several reps throughout the day.
How to Do It:
- Step back with one foot, far enough so that both knees form 90-degree angles when you lower down.
- Lower yourself into a lunge.
- Push back up using the strength of your front leg.
- Start with bodyweight or dumbbells, and as you progress, try adding a barbell in the back squat or front squat position.