Does muscle workout burn belly fat?

Author: Gillian Howell  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Weight and resistance training Weight training is also an important part of burning off belly fat. Since muscles burn off more calories than fat does when the body is at rest, having more muscle tone can help you burn off more fat.

What workout burns the most belly fat?

HIIT or high-intensity interval training is currently the most popular cardio exercise to reduce belly fat. They are well-rounded workouts including back workouts and have the potential to burn tones of calories and fat. It contains body-weight movements paired with weighted movement and cardio elements.

Can I lose belly fat by lifting weights?

The key to losing belly fat is incorporating the right activity type, and strength training is one of the best ways to do it. When you lift weights, especially focusing on compound movements like Squats, Deadlifts, and Presses, you're engaging multiple muscle groups and boosting your metabolism.

Will ab workouts flatten the stomach?

No, unfortunately they will not help you flatten your stomach. Ab exercises will build up abdom muscle tissue but it will not have an impact on weight loss. Fat loss can occur through die. Exercise can help with fat loss but they will no do much if you are eating more calories then you burn.

Can a flabby belly be toned?

You can strengthen and tone abdominal muscles with crunches or other exercises focused on your belly. But doing those exercises alone won't get rid of belly fat. The good news is that visceral fat responds to the same diet and exercise strategies that can help get rid of other extra pounds and lower total body fat.

How to ACTUALLY Lose Belly Fat (Based on Science)

Will 20 sit-ups a day tone my stomach?

Sit-ups can give you firmer abs, toning your stomach and making you sweat. Beginners should start with two or three sets of eight to 12 repetitions. How many sit-ups a day should you work up to? Once you've strengthened your lower back, you may be able to handle 15 to 25 repetitions for each set.

Why is my belly fat increasing after working out?

The combination of your pumped up muscles, dehydration and overworked muscles might make you feel well toned then, a few hours later, you appear flabbier despite the exercise you know should be making you lean. Your muscles have pumped up but your excess body fat has remained.

Why is belly fat so hard to lose?

One reason belly fat is so hard to lose is that it's considered an “active fat.” Unlike some fatty tissue that simply sits “dormant,” belly fat releases hormones that can have an impact on your health — and your ability to lose weight, especially in the waist and abdomen areas.

Is cardio or weights better for belly fat?

Cardio has been shown to specifically reduce visceral fat, meaning belly fat. While it's clear weight training burns fat better than cardio, cardio training may target the waistline more specifically than lifting weights. That's a huge benefit, as many people are actively seeking to cut inches around the midsection.

How to lose a hanging belly?

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

What drink to lose belly fat?

9 drinks that help burn belly fat fast
  • Green Tea. Packed with antioxidants, green tea boosts metabolism and helps burn fat, especially around the belly. ...
  • Lemon Water. ...
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  • Herbal Tea. ...
  • Fenugreek Water. ...
  • Ginger Tea. ...
  • Coconut Water. ...
  • Detox Water.

Does fat get jiggly before you lose it?

The Science of Fat Loss

Think of it like a balloon losing air—it deflates, but doesn't disappear immediately. Over time, your body adjusts, but the jiggly feeling can be a temporary step along the way.

What is the no 1 way to lose belly fat?

Doing aerobic exercise while eating a healthy diet is the best way to lose belly fat and overall body fat. This will help to create a calorie deficit (where you use more calories than you consume), which promotes fat loss over time.

What exercise flattens your stomach the most?

8 exercises to help achieve a flat stomach
  • Results timeline.
  • Plank.
  • Side planks.
  • Toe reaches.
  • Leg raises.
  • Roll ups.
  • Bicycle crunches.
  • Boat pose.

What workout equipment burns the most belly fat?

The following are among the most popular and effective gym machines that target belly fat:
  • Treadmill.
  • Elliptical.
  • Stairmaster.
  • Stationary bike.
  • Rowing machine.

How can I reduce my tummy in 7 days?

What is the fastest way to lose belly fat in a week? Doing cardio and abdominal exercises every day, coupled with a healthy diet (that is low in calories, fats, and sugars) is an efficient strategy for losing belly fat quickly.

Why can't I lose belly fat even though I exercise and eat right?

You're Into the Wrong Foods

Too many starchy carbohydrates and bad fats are a recipe for that midsection to expand. Instead, get plenty of veggies, choose lean proteins, and stay away from fats from red meats. Choose healthier fats in things like fish, nuts, and avocados.

What burns the most belly fat?

Aerobic or cardio exercise

To burn off visceral fat, your first step is to include at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise or cardio into your daily routine. Studies show that aerobic exercises for belly fat help reduce belly fat and liver fat.

Why am I gaining weight if I barely eat?

If you're asking yourself, “Why am I gaining weight when I barely eat,” several factors may be at play. Your body may be holding onto fat stores if your eating habits are inconsistent or restricted. Or, your weight gain may be the effect of a sedentary lifestyle, medical condition, or long-term stress.

How long does it take to lose belly fat?

So if you lose 1lb (0.45kg) a week you could hope to reduce your waistline by an inch after four weeks. Dieticians advise that if you eat 500 calories less than your daily requirement you will lose about 1lb every seven days (expect some variation from person to person).

Does walking burn belly fat?

Can a person lose belly fat by walking? Regular aerobic exercise such as walking may be an effective way to lose belly fat. A 2014 study supports this and concluded that walking could help to burn body fat, including fat around the waist and within the abdominal cavity.

How to flatten a belly?

  1. 7 belly-flattening food tips. ...
  2. Eat fiber-rich foods. ...
  3. Incorporate probiotics into your diet. ...
  4. Rule out wheat allergies or lactose intolerance. ...
  5. Watch what you drink. ...
  6. Eat healthy fats. ...
  7. Limit salt intake. ...
  8. Go easy on refined sugar.

Does planking burn belly fat?

'In terms of burning belly fat, performing a static plank will use up some calories, but it won't be instrumental in burning belly flat specifically as you can't spot reduce where you lose weight from.

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