Skip to content 
Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and felt that your tummy was a bit bulging? You’re not alone. Most people want a flat stomach, but coming up with a workout plan can be sometimes daunting. Don’t worry!
This guide is especially for beginners and it will introduce you to some simple exercises that can help in building up the core muscles.
Just bear in mind that consistency is important, so without further ado let the exercise begin!
Why Tummy Exercises?
Now before we proceed with the exercises allow me to explain why it is essential to work on your core muscles.
Good abs, in turn, are not only about having a great waistline for swimwear (though this is a big plus too). Well, your core muscles are used in everything you do like picking up foodstuff, standing, sitting at work, walking, and much more.
Getting Started with Belly-Busting Workouts
Okay, you have now resolved your mind to something: trimming that tummy of yours? Good for you!
As they say, no pain no gain; the journey may not always be a picture-perfect one, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be gruesome or a bore.
Well, here are some simple exercises that are helpful to anyone who wants to start their journey:
First things first, though, bear in mind that fat loss isn’t selective, and don’t fall for the myth of spot reduction.
You cannot wake up, do abs exercises, and magically the fat away from your abdomen will disappear. The fact is nutrition and exercise regimen are vital.
However, these exercises will to some extent help you build up the muscles of your stomach and this is crucial for your well-being and to give your tummy that toned look.
What You’ll Need
There is much that can be said about these exercises, but the good news is No expensive machines or gym membership is required in this exercise. All you need is:
- A convenient room on the floor
- A yoga mat or any other soft area preferably a carpet (not compulsory but is important to reduce the hardness of the floor).
- Casual Wear that you can also exercise in
- The right attitude and a drive to go through the process.
The adage “Rome wasn’t constructed in a day” should serve as a reminder that establishing a strong core takes time.
Do not rush the process and also, do not forget to acknowledge the accomplishments that are made on a progressive scale.
Easy Tummy Exercises For Beginners
The following are some of the easy-to-do tummy exercises to help reduce your tummy:
The Classic Crunch
Oh yeah, I know it, crunches are not exactly something that would make your heart pound with excitement. But they are perfect for a start!
The position is quite simple: you lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet touching the floor.
Cross your fingers behind your head, but do not yank on the back of your neck; now raise your back off the floor. Wait for one second and then release the weight back down.
Do this 10-15 times to start. The above-mentioned steps should be followed 10-15 times to begin with.
Bicycle Crunches
These are just like sit-ups but with a spin, or rather, a twist. One of the positions of doing the exercise is being in the supine position, hand behind the head.
Raise your shoulders above your head and with one leg flexed at the hip, tuck the opposite leg towards the chest.
Twist your body in the opposite direction so that your opposite elbow is beside your bent knee. Switch sides and repeat.
Indeed it has a very unique working mechanism and that’s why it is said to be like riding a bicycle while lying flat on the bed.
Planks
I will tell you that planks are incredibly effective in the entirety of your core muscles. Begin on all fours, and then raise the posterior part of your body and straighten your legs, but still support your upper body with your hands.
Make your body as straight as possible from your head to your heels. Maintain this position for 15-30 seconds initially, gradually increasing this duration over the days to come.
If there will ever be someone who’ll remind you of it, just hold on tight the first few times will seem like a lifetime but you’ll stay strong!
Bird Dog
This one is also good for balancing the body as well. This position should be initiated with hands and knees firmly planted on the ground.
At the same time step forward with the right leg while moving the right arm forward and the left leg backward.
Do not flex for more than three seconds then change the sides of your flex. Of course, it might feel rather uncomfortable at the start; however, one has to keep on practicing.
Russian Twists
After you have learned these rules, you can perform the next step, where you can think about the possibilities to make some deviations and changes.
This is one of the exercises that you can perform to minimize your tummy; it is referred to as the Russian twist.
How can you do that? Sitting with your legs crossed, bend your knees and raise your feet off the floor at the same time.
Relax a bit but maintain proper posture with your back. Stand and place both your hands on your abdomen crossing your fingers, now try and move your torso from left to right repeatedly.
You can hold a small weight to make the exercise more challenging.
Mountain Climbers
This exercise can be started from a plank position. Bend one knee and pull it towards the chest, after which the same should be done with the other leg.
It’s an absolute body isolation exercise as if a person were jogging on the spot while maintaining a plank stance. This one also has quite a good effect of raising your heart rate!
Dead Bug
Lay flat on your back with your arms stretched out as if you are holding the sky. Raise your legs, and angle your knees 90 degrees.
Bend your right arm behind your head and at the same time, straighten your left leg pushing your lower back into the floor.
Come back to the initial position and perform the same on the opposite side. Perform 5 – 8 repetitions on each side.
Leg Raises
The last one but not the least is the leg raises. In what ways is this possible? Laying flat on your back with your legs fully stretched out is the initial posture of the exercise.
Gradually, raise your legs upward toward the head as much as you can, ideally with your knees straight. Place them gently back on their stand or table and lower them down slowly.
This one targets the lower abs more than the other two exercises we have seen so far.
Final Thoughts
And that’s it in a nutshell! Basic tummy exercises for the first timers.
Before we conclude, here are some tips that would assist you in these stomach exercises:
- Remember consistency is key. It will be best to do your tummy exercises 3-4 times a week.
- Don’t forget to breathe! Breathe out during the toughest contraction of each movement.
- Ensure that your movements are as controlled as possible. Quality over quantity!
- Listen to your body. Only if an exercise hurts or discomforts during practice (and not when it becomes difficult): then one should pause and consider how the exercise is being performed.
Remember, the muscular core is not only about having six packs but also having good health. Yoga improves your posture, balance and depending on the type of yoga you do, it can also relieve backache.
Also, as a final note, no one is born knowing how to do something, and thus, the key is to start somewhere.
You need not quit doing something because it cannot be done to the best advantage at the first trial. Stick with it and you will be surprised with tons of improvement in a few weeks. Now, get out there and prove to that tummy that you are the boss.
