The 3 Best Ab Exercises To Shrink Belly Fat Fast, Trainer Says

If a top fitness priority of yours is to lose fat in a speedy manner, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best moves you can do at the gym or at home to torch calories and reach your workout goals in no time. Matt Laurie, M.S, B.S, ACSM-Cpt, Precision Nutrition Lvl. 1 tells us the scoop on the three best ab exercises to shrink belly fat fast, and we’re listening intently. Laurie is a personal trainer on Fyt, the nation’s largest personal training service that makes fitness under the expert guidance of an in-person (or virtual), certified fitness professional convenient and accessible for anyone.

If you’re curious about these exercises to shrink belly fat quickly, then check them out below and follow Laurie’s instructions on how to properly perform them. And next up, be sure to read The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.

Modified V-Sit-Up

Laurie explains a modified V-sit-up is an accessible exercise for many fitness enthusiasts. To perform it, Laurie says you’ll begin on your back. Your hands should be on the ground, and your feet should also be on the ground or in the air a few inches above the ground (which is the more challenging of the two). “Next, drive your upper half off the floor (with your arms assisting in the drive). Simultaneously bring [both] knees up and in towards the chest. Keeping the core braced and abs tight, hold the finish position briefly, and return to the floor with control. Your abdominals will start to burn after a few reps!”

Stability Ball Crunch

In a world where many fitness fanatics strive for washboard abs and effective yet safe core isolation exercises, Laurie says you can’t beat utilizing a stability ball. He continues, “Performing a concentrated abdominal crunch on a stability ball provides the lower back with a soft surface to press into as we crunch, forcing the core to stabilize so that you don’t fall off the ball. Keep the shoulders back, the ball stable underneath you, and your core engaged, [and] bring your shoulders up toward the ceiling a few inches (or up to 45 degrees relative to the legs), then lower back to the starting position. This exercise is a sneaky-hard core move!”

Active Plank

By performing active planks on a consistent basis, you’ll reap plenty of body benefits, including a strong core, a tight stomach, and the alleviation of lower back pain. If you’re wondering the difference between the classic forearm plank and an active plank, Laurie notes it’s “a firm squeeze of your glutes.” He continues to explain, “Clenching your glutes while keeping your body stable in a plank rotates the pelvis and fires up the lower abs instantaneously. Start with sets of 30-second holds, and work your way up!”