If you’re reading this, you’re probably eager to eliminate stubborn belly fat. The great news is you don’t need fancy gym equipment to start seeing results. Bodyweight training can be your key to success. We consulted with a fitness expert who reveals four bodyweight exercises that target belly fat more effectively than lifting weights after 40. So, put down those dumbbells and let’s get going.

“Reducing belly fat becomes more challenging after 40 due to a slower metabolism, declining muscle mass, and drops in hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and growth hormone, which make storing fat around the midsection easier,” explains Mr. America Jason Kozma, CPT, Los Angeles personal trainer. “Just doing cardio often isn’t enough because it doesn’t effectively rebuild muscle or enhance insulin sensitivity, both crucial for fat loss at this age.”

Classic compound exercises that focus on strength-building promote significant muscle growth and increase metabolism long after the workout. This boosts fat burning even while your body is at rest.

“They also improve hormonal balance, increase insulin sensitivity, and help preserve lean muscle—key for keeping belly fat in check post-40,” Kozma says.

Below, he outlines four bodyweight exercises that melt belly fat faster than weight training.

4 Bodyweight Moves That Melt Belly Fat

Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift

“This exercise works the entire posterior chain, activating major muscles and increasing post-workout calorie burn,” Kozma explains.

1. Begin standing tall, balancing on your right leg.
2. Maintain square hips and a neutral spine.
3. Start to hinge forward at the hips, reaching your arms toward the floor and sending your left leg straight back behind you.
4. Lower until your torso is parallel to the ground.
5. Press through your right heel to reverse the motion and return to the start position.
6. Repeat on the other side.

5 Standing Moves That Shrink Belly Fat Without Getting on the Floor

Squats

“This move engages the quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core for full-body metabolic impact,” says Kozma.

1. Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart on the floor.
2. Extend your arms ahead of you or place your hands on your hips.
3. Bend at the knees and hips as you lower into a squat.
4. Descend until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
5. Press through your heels to rise back up to standing.

4 Simple Changes That Burn Belly Fat Without Exercise After 40

Lunges

“This exercise improves lower-body strength, balance, and core activation while burning fat,” Kozma tells us.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

1. Stand tall with your feet parallel, hip-distance apart.
2. Step one foot forward.
3. Bring your hands to your hips.
4. Engage your core as you bend your knees, lowering to form 90-degree bends in both legs.
5. Keep your upper body straight.
6. Press through your front heel and the ball of your back foot to rise back up.

6 Daily Standing Moves That Build Strength and Shrink Your Waist

Pull-ups

“This move strengthens the back, arms, and core, enhancing overall metabolism,” Kozma points out.

1. Stand tall and grab onto a pull-up bar using an overhand grip, hands shoulder-distance apart.
2. Hang onto the bar with fully extended arms.
3. Pull your chest up toward the bar by bringing your elbows down and back.
4. Slowly lower back to the start position.
5. Use a machine or a resistance band to decrease the load.

Alexa Mellardo