Bid farewell to your belly pooch with these straightforward standing exercises.

As we age, belly fat often becomes a notorious nuisance. Factors such as hormonal changes, reduced physical activity, and the inevitable decline in lean muscle mass all contribute to this issue. However, by incorporating the right exercises into your fitness regimen and making them a regular part of your routine, you can effectively combat that stubborn “belly pooch.” We consulted with Steve Chambers, a Senior Certified Personal Trainer and Gym Manager at Ultimate Performance, who recommends four standing exercises that can help reduce abdominal fat more effectively than gym machines, especially for those over 55.

Your core plays a crucial role in maintaining your body’s stability and supporting an upright posture. Everyday activities such as carrying groceries, walking, bending, lifting, and standing up from a seated position rely heavily on the proper functioning of your abdominal muscles. This is why standing core workouts are particularly beneficial. Chambers explains that these exercises engage your ab muscles to rotate, brace, support your spine, and resist movement, much like they do in real-life scenarios.

Below, Chambers outlines four exceptional standing exercises designed to reduce belly fat for individuals over the age of 55. It’s essential to remember that progressive overload is key if you’re looking to see a transformation in your abdominal area.

Below, Chambers breaks down four stellar standing exercises that help shrink belly fat after 55. Keep in mind that progressive overload is crucial if you want your abdominal region to change.

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Squats

This simple bodyweight exercise is a major power. Squats put your abs and lower body to work as you try to stay balanced and maintain tension.

1. Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Extend your arms in front of you or place your hands on your hips. Use a chair for support, if necessary.
3. Bend at the knees and hips as you lower into a squat.
4. Use control to descend until your thighs assume a “sitting” position or lower.
5. Press through your heels to return to standing.

Farmer’s Carry

The farmer’s carry is a simple yet incredibly productive workout for your core. By walking while carrying heavy dumbbells, your core stays braced throughout. This exercise works your obliques, abs, shoulders, lower back, and grip strength.

1. Hold a heavy dumbbell or kettlebell—50% of your body weight—in each hand at your sides.
2. Start walking forward, keeping your torso still.

Deadlifts

Chambers dubs deadlifts to be one of the most productive core builders.

1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart, holding a heavy dumbbell in each hand in front of your thighs.
2. Make sure your legs are mostly straight with just a slight bend in the knees.
3. Hinge at the hips to lower the weights down your legs and toward the floor.
4. Keep your back flat and the dumbbells close to your body when lowering, feeling a solid stretch in the hamstrings.
5. Activate your glutes and hamstrings as you stand back up.

Standing Woodchops

This rotational exercise fires up your obliques, abs, shoulders, and upper back at the same time.

1. Hold a dumbbell with both hands and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Lift the dumbbell toward your right side, keeping your arms straight.
3. Twist your torso, and carefully rotate your legs to bring the dumbbell down to your left.
4. Bend at the knees while dropping your hips to bring the dumbbell toward the ground.
5. Repeat by lifting the dumbbell back to the right and overhead.