Stomach Exercises for Women

3 Stomach Exercises for Women- Targeting 3 Different Stomach Muscle Groups

Many women over 40 ask me for stomach exercises for women. After all, who doesn’t want to have a flat stomach? For most of my readers the years after 40 became a struggle against fat on the stomach area. In this short article I’ll cover what stomach exercises for women will do for you, what they can’t do and I’ll give you the 3 most basic and most efficient stomach exercises for women- each targeting a different stomach muscle group. This article is part of my Exercises for Women series.

Stomach Exercises for Women- What They Won’t do For You

Quite a few believe: If I work out a part of my body (like the stomach area), then I will lose fat on that area. This is unfortunately untrue. You can’t “spot-reduce” fat- it is genetically determined where you gain and where you lose fat first.

But: You can get an overall lean and toned body. So this is the way to go: Pay attention to your diet, exercise regularly and you’ll lose weight.

Benefits of Stomach Exercises for Women

Nevertheless, stomach exercises for women help in many ways. First of all, the stomach area is only held in by muscles, there are no supporting bone structures. By building stomach muscles you get a leaner figure because your body is better able to hold the inner organs. Second, it will improve your posture- midsection strength is very important for an upright, confident and attractive posture.

Third, if you are really, really lean you will see the stomach muscles under the skin. But once again, you have to be very lean for this (what means, you probably have to lose quite a bit of weight to get there).

3 Fundamental Stomach Exercises for Women

There are 3 different muscle groups (or parts) you want to target: The upper abdominal muscle, the lower abdominal muscle and the obliques. I recommend training the upper abdominal muscle last.

Training the Lower Abdominal Muscle

The easiest way to do this is by the “Reverse Crunch”: Lie flat on on your back with extended legs. Hands can be placed next to you or behind your head. Bend your knees slightly and lift your legs up from the ground until you get a 90 degree angle between your legs and your upper body. Make sure your lower back stays on the ground and that lifting the legs is done by contracting the stomach (abdominal) muscles.

Lower your legs slowly to the ground.

Repeat at least 15 times, have a break for a minute and repeat again.

Training the Obliques

To train the obliques nothing beats the “Oblique Crunch”: Lie on your back with knees bent in a 90 degree angle. Have the left foot resting on the floor. With your right knee bent put your right foot across your left knee.

Place your left hand on the side of your head. Now comes the twist: Bring your left shoulder towards your right knee, preferable your left elbow touches your right knee.

Repeat at least 15 times, have a break for a minute and repeat again.

Training the Upper Abdominal Muscle

You can train the upper abdominal muscle by doing what is called the “Basic Crunch”: Lie on your back with your hands crossed across your chest or placed on the side of the head. Bend your knees in a 90 degree angle. All through this exercise your feet need to be resting on the floor.

While keeping your feet on the floor (use weights if necessary) lift your shoulder and head from the ground towards your knees. Use only your stomach muscles to lift your upper body. After you got your upper body in an upright position lower your shoulders and upper body slowly towards the floor.

Repeat at least 15 times, have a break for a minute and repeat again.

In this short article I gave you the most fundamental 3 stomach exercises for women. Do them every other day regularly- you can do this at home, there is no equipment needed.

Recommended reading for “Stomach Exercises for Women”:

• Women over 40: Lose Belly Fat – Frequently Asked Questions
• How a Woman over 40 Can Lose Belly Fat – 10 Tips to Lose Belly Fat Easily
• Exercise Routines for Belly Fat for Women
• Exercise and Workouts for Women Over Age 40 – What Works

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