Cardio isn’t the best way to burn belly fat
Can cardio burn stomach fat? Toned abdominal muscles have become a sign of fitness and health. People go running to lose belly fat and strengthen their abs muscles. But is it effective? If not what is the alternative way to attain your objectives?
Types of belly fat
There are two types of belly fat:
- Subcutaneous fat, the one that is found between the skin and the muscles. This fat does not seriously increase your risk of disease
- Visceral fat which is found around your internal organs in the stomach. This is the type of fat that causes many types of diseases such as type two diabetes and heart disease.
Can cardio burn stomach fat?
Unfortunately, cardio alone isn’t the best way to burn belly fat. Nor is specifically spot-reducing fat from around your belly area through abs exercises effective. Cardio and abs exercises abs will help your stomach muscles become strong and muscular. But sadly, these strong muscles will be invisible if they are covered by subcutaneous fat.
How to have defined abs?
Studies show that the most effective way to reduce belly fat and strengnthn the stomach muscles is through a combination of cardio and high-intensity exercises. the bottom line is that:
- Cardio targets visceral belly fat.
- Intensity exercises help build muscles and burn belly fat mass.
High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise (HIIE) -also called High-intensity interval training (HIIT)- is another method that has been proved to be effective in burning belly fat.
HIIE is a form of interval training, a cardiovascular exercise strategy alternating short periods of intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods, until too exhausted to continue. Though there is no universal HIIT session duration, these intense workouts typically last under 30 minutes, with times varying based on a participant’s current fitness level. The duration of HIIT also depends on the intensity of the session.
What you eat is essential
Exercising alone is not enough to reduce dramatically your belly fat. Nutrition is of paramount importance if you want to look slim.
- Reduce -or better eliminate- processed foods from your plate.
- Get rid of the sugar. It can cause weight gain and increase your risk of disease.
- Reduce your intake of carbs.
- Take food rich in fiber.
- Drink a lot of water.
- Avoid alcohol and soft drinks
- Take enough protein.
Conclusion
You can’t lose belly fat by doing cardio exercises alone or by working out your abs alone. It is recommended to focus on a whole-body workout that combines cardio, high-intensity exercises (such as HIIE), and resistance training (such as lifting weights). In addition to that, it is highly recommended to follow a good diet that is rich with fiber and proteins. You should also avoid processed food and sugar.