5 standing exercises you can do at home to shrink belly fat

Let’s be real — nobody wants to do a hundred crunches on a cold floor to achieve those abs. If you are someone who has tried everything on the face of the earth, from miracle drinks to tiring workouts to torch your belly fat, and have had no luck with it, you are not alone. Both beginners and gym rats often struggle with stubborn belly fat. Spot reduction is a myth, yes — but the right moves can torch overall fat and tone your core at the same time! You don’t need an expensive gym membership or fancy equipment to do this workout. Here are five standing workouts you can do at home to torch that belly fat.

High knees are one of the most effective standing exercises that work on the core. This exercise combines cardio with core engagement. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. Raise your right knee up to your chest, then quickly alternate to the left. While doing this exercise, ensure you are standing straight. The trick is in the speed and form. Aim to do this for 30 to 60 seconds, and repeat for 3 sets. This exercise works on your visceral fat and gives you quick results.

Traditional crunches are no longer in vogue. However, standing crunches are! Why? Because they deliver similar results without straining the lower back or neck. To do this exercise, stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Place your hands behind your head and keep your elbows wide. Raise your right knee up and crunch your left elbow down to meet it. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side. This exercise works on your obliques. Aim for 15 to 20 reps per side for 3 sets.

You are going to do the standing version of Russian twists. It works even better than the seated version. To do this exercise, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly bend your knees. Extend your arms straight out in front of you at chest height and clasp your hands. Here comes the real part — rotate your entire upper body as far to the right as possible. Ensure you keep your hips square and facing forward. Now repeat to the left side. One thing to keep in mind is that your lower body should not move. Aim for 20 twists (10 per side) for 3 sets.

This is a fun and intense exercise that engages your arms and torches your belly fat. It mimics the motion of swinging an axe to chop wood. Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart. Clasp your hands together and raise them up to one side (imagine holding a heavy object). Then, in one fluid, powerful motion, swing your arms diagonally downward across your body toward the opposite knee. Rotate your torso and bend slightly at the hips while doing this action. Form is crucial here. Most people end up just swinging their arms, but remember, your core should be engaged throughout. Do 12 reps on each side for 3 sets.

When you gain weight, it’s common to develop love handles. Here’s one exercise that can work on your core and hips alike. This exercise is going to burn your core. Stand straight with your feet wide and your hands on your hips. Now draw a large circle using your pelvis. Go slow — first forward, out to the side, back, and around. Think as if you are spinning a hula hoop. Do 15 circles clockwise, then 15 counterclockwise. You will feel your core firing up.