{"id":281397,"date":"2026-02-13T01:35:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T01:35:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/281397\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T01:35:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T01:35:08","slug":"muffin-top-exercises-after-50-that-beat-cardio-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/281397\/","title":{"rendered":"Muffin Top Exercises After 50 That Beat Cardio (Expert)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Get your waistline into shape with these expert-recommended daily moves.<\/p>\n<p>\u200b\u200bMuffin tops may be a breakfast favorite, but muffin tops around the waistline are far less beloved. After hitting 50, this area of the body tends to accumulate excess fat due to a drop in estrogen and a rise in cortisol, which causes fat to be redistributed from the thighs and hips. In addition to impacting your physique, excess body fat is extremely unhealthy. The <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/5-best-bodyweight-exercises-to-lose-muffin-top\/\" target=\"_blank\">muffin top<\/a> is often <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/groceries-target-visceral-fat-30-days\/\" target=\"_blank\">visceral fat<\/a>\u2014the type of fat that surrounds your internal organs and places you at risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.<\/p>\n<p>In order to get your workout routine in top shape, we spoke with <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/matt-bandelier-19438430\/\" target=\"_blank\">Matt Bandelier<\/a>, director of business development at <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/edenhealthclubs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Eden Health Club<\/a>, who recommends five daily exercises that can shrink muffin top faster than cardio after 50.<\/p>\n<p>Why These Exercises Are More Effective Than Cardio<br \/>\n<img xmlns=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-460051\" http:=\"\" viewbox=\"&quot;0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/woman-holding-hip-fat-muffin-top.jpg\" alt=\"Woman holding hip fat muffin top\" width=\"640\" height=\"469\"  \/>Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHere\u2019s the simple truth: Cardio may burn calories, but it doesn\u2019t build the lean muscle that changes the shape of your waist or stabilizes your spine. After 50, building muscle and keeping core musculature engaged around the clock is your advantage, not sprinting on a treadmill,\u201d explains Bandelier.<\/p>\n<p>Targeted core workouts\u2014especially anti-rotational, rotational, and focused lateral flexion training\u2014fires up the transverse abdominis, obliques, and lower back stabilizers. This form of training promotes shape, tension, and tightness\u2014exactly what your waistline needs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cConsistency is the differentiator. When you do these daily, you\u2019re building a strong foundation under the surface, and that\u2019s what we see as visible results,\u201d Bandelier adds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-article__related-link\"><a class=\"related-link\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/5-no-equipment-core-exercises-no-planks\/\" target=\"_blank\"> 5 No-Equipment Exercises That Strengthen Your Core Faster Than Planks After 40<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\tStanding Dumbbell Oblique Bends<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis exercise sharpens lateral flexion, activates external obliques hard, great static burn,\u201d Bandelier tells us.<\/p>\n<p>Stand tall, holding a dumbbell in your left hand at your side.<br \/>\nSlowly bend at your waist toward the weight, stretching your obliques as you do so.<br \/>\nReturn to standing.<br \/>\nComplete 3 sets of 12 reps on each side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-article__related-link\"><a class=\"related-link\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/standing-exercises-muffin-top-after-50\/\" target=\"_blank\">5 Standing Exercises That Shrink Your Muffin Top Faster Than Crunches After 50<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\tCross-Body Mountain Climbers<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDynamic rotation equals high core engagement plus cardio effect bundled into one movement,\u201d Bandelier says.<\/p>\n<p>Assume a high plank\u2014legs extended behind you and hands placed below your shoulders.<br \/>\nQuickly drive your right knee toward your left elbow.<br \/>\nSwiftly return to a plank.<br \/>\nRepeat the movement with your left knee.<br \/>\nContinue to alternate at a fast pace.<br \/>\nPerform 2 sets of 30 seconds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-article__related-link\"><a class=\"related-link\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/5-best-bodyweight-exercises-to-lose-muffin-top\/\" target=\"_blank\">5 Best Bodyweight Exercises to Lose Your Muffin Top for Good<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\tSide-Lying Hip Lift<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis exercise hits deep obliques, glute medius, and teaches full-side control,\u201d Bandelier explains.<\/p>\n<p>Begin by lying on your side and placing your elbow below your shoulder. Your feet should be stacked.<br \/>\nLift your hips off the floor so that your body forms a straight line from your head to your feet.<br \/>\nReach your top arm toward the ceiling.<br \/>\nLower your hips toward the floor, and then lift them back up.<br \/>\nPerform 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps on each side.<\/p>\n<p>RELATED: <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/bodyweight-moves-lower-belly-pooch-after-50\/\" target=\"_blank\">5 Bodyweight Moves That Shrink Lower Belly Pooch Better Than Crunches After 50<\/a>6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e<\/p>\n<p>\tSeated Twist Press<\/p>\n<p><img xmlns=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-medium wp-image-894314\" http:=\"\" viewbox=\"&quot;0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1770946508_91_shutterstock_2600772439a.jpg\" alt=\"An elderly woman in an orange shirt and gray leggings sits on a chair, performing a seated stretch. She crosses her leg and twists her torso in a bright living room, promoting fitness and flexibility.\" width=\"640\" height=\"469\"  \/>Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe seated twist press builds rotational endurance and tightness\u2014perfect for waist trimming,\u201d Bandelier tells us.<\/p>\n<p>Begin sitting tall on a sturdy chair with your feet flat on the floor.<br \/>\nHold a light weight or medicine ball for added resistance at your chest.<br \/>\nGently twist your torso from one side to the other, keeping the movement slow and controlled and your hips stable. Really feel your obliques activate.<br \/>\nPress the weight away from your body each time.<br \/>\nComplete 3 sets of 16 reps (8 on each side).<\/p>\n<p>\tHanging Knee Tucks<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLower abs plus transverse equal your new core corset. [The hanging knee tuck] builds strength in control zones that cardio skips over,\u201d Bandelier explains.<\/p>\n<p>Begin seated near the front of a sturdy chair.<br \/>\nHold onto the sides for support.<br \/>\nLean back, and bring your knees up to your chest while keeping the core braced.<br \/>\nSlowly lower.<br \/>\nComplete 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps.<\/p>\n<p>Alexa Mellardo<\/p>\n<p>\t\tAlexa is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist based in Greenwich, CT. She has 11+ years of experience covering wellness, fitness, food, travel, lifestyle, and home.\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"c-article-short-bio__more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/author\/alexa-mellardo\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more about Alexa <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Get your waistline into shape with these expert-recommended daily moves. \u200b\u200bMuffin tops may be a breakfast favorite, but&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":281398,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[48966,3248,565,134,71598,111,139,69,48698,8781],"class_list":{"0":"post-281397","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fitness","8":"tag-body-fat","9":"tag-exercise","10":"tag-fitness","11":"tag-health","12":"tag-how-to-lose-body-fat","13":"tag-new-zealand","14":"tag-newzealand","15":"tag-nz","16":"tag-over-50","17":"tag-workouts"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=281397"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281397\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/281398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=281397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=281397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=281397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}