{"id":559792,"date":"2026-04-02T07:21:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/559792\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T07:21:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:21:19","slug":"standing-exercises-for-apron-belly-after-50-per-a-trainer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/559792\/","title":{"rendered":"Standing Exercises for Apron Belly After 50, Per a Trainer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A certified personal trainer shares four standing moves that target your core after 50.<\/p>\n<p>For many adults over 50, shrinking your midsection can feel frustrating. Even with regular exercise and healthy weight management, it may seem like stubborn belly fat just won\u2019t go away. That\u2019s because as you age, <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S2451965022000916\" target=\"_blank\" data-citation=\"true\" data-citation-type=\"ScholarlyArticle\">hormonal changes<\/a>, <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9911832\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-citation=\"true\" data-citation-type=\"ScholarlyArticle\">reduced muscle mass<\/a>, and <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6970947\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-citation=\"true\" data-citation-type=\"ScholarlyArticle\">how your body distributes fat<\/a> can all contribute to weight gain.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/endocrinology\/articles\/10.3389\/fendo.2019.00861\/full\" target=\"_blank\" data-citation=\"true\" data-citation-type=\"ScholarlyArticle\">Research<\/a> shows that aging is associated with higher abdominal fat and reduced lean muscle mass, both of which can affect the appearance and strength of your stomach. At the same time, weakening of your deep abdominal muscles can <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/esmed.org\/MRA\/mra\/article\/view\/920\" target=\"_blank\" data-citation=\"true\" data-citation-type=\"ScholarlyArticle\">reduce your body\u2019s ability to stabilize and support<\/a> your lower stomach.<\/p>\n<p>So if you\u2019re in your 50s and wondering what you can do to shrink your apron belly, we\u2019re here to help. We spoke with James Bickerstaff, CPT, a personal trainer at <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.origym.co.uk\/blog\/author\/jbickerstaff\/\" target=\"_blank\">OriGym<\/a>, who shares four of the best <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/standing-exercises-firm-belly-pooch-after-60\/\" target=\"_blank\">standing exercises<\/a> designed to engage multiple muscle groups at once while forcing your core to stabilize your body. Compared to crunches and machine-based workouts, these moves are also better for helping improve balance, coordination, and functional strength, all of which are fundamental for healthy aging and weight loss.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese movements train the abdominal muscles to stabilize the spine and control the pelvis,\u201d Bickerstaff explains. \u201cThat\u2019s important for strengthening the muscles that support the lower stomach and improving overall core function.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read on for the exercises and detailed step-by-step instructions. Then, when you\u2019re finished, check out these <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/exercises-for-people-over-60-havent-worked-out\/\" target=\"_blank\">5 Exercises Personal Trainers Recommend for Clients Over 60 Who Haven\u2019t Worked Out in Years<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\tStanding Knee Drives<\/p>\n<p>Standing knee drives activate your lower abs while engaging your hip flexors and stabilizing core muscles. Since the movement requires lifting your leg while maintaining an upright posture and balance, it forces your abs to stabilize your body throughout the exercise.<\/p>\n<p>How to do it:<\/p>\n<p>Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.<br \/>\nPlace your hands on your hips or hold a chair for balance.<br \/>\nEngage your core by tightening your abdominal muscles.<br \/>\nDrive one knee upward toward your chest while keeping your torso upright.<br \/>\nPause for one to two seconds at the top of the movement.<br \/>\nSlowly lower your foot back to the floor with control.<br \/>\nRepeat the movement with the opposite leg.<br \/>\nPerform 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps per leg. Rest for 30 to 45 seconds between sets.<\/p>\n<p>\tStanding Cross-Body Crunch<\/p>\n<p>Standing cross-body crunches combine rotation with knee lifting, allowing your obliques (side abs) to work together with your lower abs. Rotational movements like this can help strengthen the muscles responsible for stabilizing the torso and controlling twisting movements.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis targets your obliques and lower abdominals at the same time, helping tighten the entire waistline,\u201d says Bickerstaff. \u201cThe twisting motion also strengthens the deep core muscles which can also help flatten the lower stomach area over time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How to do it:<\/p>\n<p>Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.<br \/>\nPlace your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outward.<br \/>\nBrace your core and maintain an upright posture.<br \/>\nLift your right knee toward your chest.<br \/>\nRotate your torso to bring your left elbow toward your raised knee.<br \/>\nReturn to the starting position with control.<br \/>\nRepeat on the opposite side.<br \/>\nComplete 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps per side, resting for 30 to 45 seconds between sets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-article__related-link\"><a class=\"related-link\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/chair-exercises-restore-leg-strength-after-60\/\" target=\"_blank\">5 Chair Exercises That Restore Leg Strength Faster Than Squats After 60<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\tStanding Pelvic Tucks<\/p>\n<p>This controlled movement targets your deep stabilizing ab muscles. \u201cPelvic tucks are excellent for activating the deep core muscles that support your lower stomach,\u201d says Bickerstaff. \u201cThis controlled movement also strengthens the transverse abdominis, the deep muscle layer responsible for pulling the abdomen inward.\u201d6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e<\/p>\n<p>How to do it:<\/p>\n<p>Stand up tall with your feet hip-width apart.<br \/>\nKeep your knees slightly bent and your spine neutral.<br \/>\nPlace your hands on your hips.<br \/>\nTighten your glutes and tuck your pelvis forward.<br \/>\nDraw your belly button inward toward your spine.<br \/>\nHold the position briefly for about one to two seconds.<br \/>\nSlowly return to a neutral standing posture.<br \/>\nAim for 3 sets of 15 reps. Rest for 30 to 45 seconds between sets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-article__related-link\"><a class=\"related-link\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/daily-exercises-restore-muscle-after-60\/\" target=\"_blank\">5 Daily Exercises That Restore Muscle Faster Than Gym Workouts After 60<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\tStanding March With Core Brace<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a low impact movement that strengthens the entire abdominal wall while improving your balance and posture,\u201d says Bickerstaff. \u201cBracing your core throughout the exercise trains it to stabilise the spine and reduces pressure on your lower abdomen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How to do it:<\/p>\n<p>Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.<br \/>\nEngage your core as if preparing for a light punch to the stomach.<br \/>\nKeep your shoulders relaxed and your chest tall.<br \/>\nSlowly lift one knee until it reaches about hip height.<br \/>\nPause for one to two seconds while maintaining core tension.<br \/>\nLower your leg slowly back to the floor.<br \/>\nRepeat the movement with the opposite leg.<br \/>\nContinue alternating legs in a marching motion.<br \/>\nPerform 3 sets of 20 controlled marches (10 per leg), resting for 30 to 45 seconds between sets.<\/p>\n<p>Adam Meyer, RHN<\/p>\n<p>\t\tAdam is a health writer, certified holistic nutritionist, and 100% plant-based athlete.\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"c-article-short-bio__more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatthis.com\/author\/adam-meyer\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more about Adam <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A certified personal trainer shares four standing moves that target your core after 50. For many adults over&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":559793,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[44407,337,97,36368,123629,3152],"class_list":{"0":"post-559792","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-body-fat","9":"tag-fitness","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-how-to-lose-body-fat","12":"tag-standing-exercises","13":"tag-workouts"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/559792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=559792"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/559792\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/559793"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=559792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=559792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=559792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}