Apron belly after 50? A trainer says crunches aren’t the answer. Try these instead.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s face it: Changing the size and shape of your midsection can be downright frustrating. As you age, your lower abdomen may begin to protrude or hang slightly\u2014often referred to as an \u201capron belly\u201d\u2014even for those who are otherwise active. And while it\u2019s tempting to combat this downside of aging by doubling down on crunches or sit-ups, those exercises don\u2019t address the full picture.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because fat loss doesn\u2019t happen in one specific area of your body. Research<\/a> shows that spot reduction (the idea that you can burn fat from a targeted area through specific exercises) is largely a myth. Instead, reducing belly fat<\/a> requires a combination of increased physical activity, calorie expenditure, and strengthening the muscles that support posture and movement.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not to say core strength isn\u2019t essential for a trim waistline. Your deep ab muscles act like a natural corset around your midsection, and strengthening them can enhance posture and abdominal control<\/a>, which may help your stomach appear flatter over time.<\/p>\n That\u2019s where standing exercises come in. Unlike traditional floor-based ab workouts, standing movements engage your core alongside larger muscle groups like your glutes, back, and legs. This increases energy expenditure and more closely mimics real-life movement patterns such as walking, bending, and lifting.<\/p>\n To find out which standing exercises are best for flattening apron belly faster than crunches after 50, we chatted with Abbie Watkins, CPT, certified personal trainer with OriGym<\/a>, who shears her top five recommended moves. \u201cWhen it comes to flattening an \u2018apron belly\u2019, it\u2019s important to remember that you can\u2019t target fat loss in one specific area, so endless crunches are not the answer,\u201d Watkins explains. \u201cInstead, your focus should be on strengthening the core while also being more active in general to help burn fat.\u201d<\/p>\n Watkins recommends movements that engage your core while also incorporating your lower body. \u201cThese exercises all activate the core while also bringing in the glutes and lower body,\u201d Watkins says. \u201cIncorporating the glutes and lower body means these burn more calories than floor-based core exercises, which helps increase your overall activity level.\u201d<\/p>\n