Ab Exercises Do Not Get Rid Of Belly Fat

People constantly search the web for the magic to get rid of stubborn belly fat. Fitness forums are loaded with the questions and the replies. The response most often is a particular ab exercise routine or piece of equipment. Unfortunately, the magic routine or apparatus often recommended doesn't work.

If these actually worked, why would so many people still be in search of the elusive answer? Let's face it, the models using the equipment and demonstrating the routine did not get those six-pack abs from using the equipment. The models were picked because they already had the abs.

So how did they get those sexy stomachs?

For sure it is not from exercise alone. And the exercises most people are searching for are not the right types to help lose stubborn belly fat. There simply is no combination of abs exercises or complete workouts that will melt off that belly fat.

Ab workouts are good. They are just not designed to burn fat. The purpose of abs exercises is to tone and strengthen the abdominal muscles. The abs are there under the fat but if you want to see them you need to work on getting a full body workout. This increases the metabolic rate and increases the fat burning potential of your system.

Many experts stress cardio routines to achieve this, but again, cardio by itself is not the answer. What it takes is a complete, rounded program that works the whole body with resistance training and multi-joint high intensity exercises.

The real secret to burning that extra belly fat that hides the abdominals is regular full body, high intensity training combined with a healthy, nutrient rich balanced diet. Ab workouts by themselves even if they include specific ab exercises like crunches and leg raises will never make you lose your belly fat.

In spite of this, the majority of people trying to lose belly fat still keep doing their daily ab workouts using hundreds of reps. And the internet is full of people still handing out this bum advice in fitness forums. But it does not work! The "experts" did not get six-pack abs that way and neither will you.

I am not saying that you should ignore ab routines. Abdominal exercises are important. You need them to strengthen and tone the abdominal muscles and they are a major aid to your back. But you need to mix them into a complete workout routine to enjoy their full benefit. The fact is that ab exercises are not designed to burn fat and they never will.

The most important factors for weight loss in general and belly fat loss in particular are a full body resistance training routine and a healthy, balanced diet. Full body exercises will also work the abs and core muscles and melt the belly fat so you can see that six-pack of abs that you already have buried in there.