While ab workouts alone won’t remove belly fat, workouts that target the abdominals build muscle and make it easier to burn tummy fat.
Read: The Right Way To Walk Off That Belly Fat
Studies show black women, particularly those between 20 and 29 years old, have larger amounts of abdominal fat than other women the same age. Excess abdominal fat also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
To avoid this risk and work your way to a flatter tummy, do two to three sets of these top tummy toners from around the world.
Paddler
• Sit on floor with knees bent and feet flat, holding ends of resistance band (or a towel) with both hands in front of chest, arms extended and slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
• Lean torso back 45 degrees and lift bent legs until shins are parallel to floor.
• Make it easier: Keep feet on floor.
• Maintaining V-sit position and keeping lower body still, rotate torso slowly to right, bringing right hand out to side a few inches off floor.
• Repeat to left side, bringing left hand out to side near floor to complete 1 rep.
• Do 10 reps.
Afata
• Stand with feet close, right hand on hip, left arm raised so bent elbow is near shoulder level in front of you.
• Contract abs as you trace a box with hips: Softly bend right knee and lift right heel as you jut right hip forward (pelvis tips up).
• Drive right hip back (as if sticking out derriere), straightening right leg with heel flat on floor.
• Quickly complete box by shifting weight to left leg as you drive left hip back, then forward.
• Continue tracing for 1 minute.
Pisao Kick
• Stand with feet hip-width apart, elbows bent by sides, right fist in front of chest, left fist near left hip. Lift bent left knee toward chest.
• Bring left fist by waist as you press left heel out to left side, foot flexed, leaning torso slightly to right as you fully extend left leg.
• Bring left knee back to chest, straightening posture.
• Do 10 kicks without lowering left foot to floor. Switch legs, repeat.
Flying Side Crunch
• Standing on right leg, knee slightly bent, extend left leg out to side, toes touching floor.
• Tighten abs and hinge forward at hips 45 degrees, back flat, then extend arms out to sides at shoulder level, palms down (like an airplane).
• Maintaining bent-over airplane position throughout, lift extended left leg out to side as high as you can, toes pointed, then lower.
• Continue lifts for 30 seconds. Switch legs, repeat.
Windshield Wiper
• Lie on back with arms out to sides slightly below shoulder level, palms down and legs extended toward ceiling, feet together.
• Tighten abs and slowly lower legs together toward right as far as you can.
• Make it harder: Lower legs so right toes touch floor.
• Lift legs back to start; repeat to left and return to start to complete 1 rep.
• Do 8 reps.
Ax Chop
• Tie one end of resistance band to a secure post 2 feet overhead. (Or attach it to a doorknob and perform move kneeling on floor.)
• Facing post, stand tall with feet hip-width apart and grasp other end of band in left hand, right hand on top. Step backward until band has no slack and hands are at eye level.
• Keeping arms extended in front of you and lower body still, rotate torso to right as you pull band down until hands are by outside of right hip.
• Return to start position.
• Do 10 reps, then switch grip (right hand grasps band; left goes on top) and repeat to left side.
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