5 Chair Exercises That Shrink Belly Overhang Faster Than Gym Machines After 55

You may be wondering how—and when—that extra abdominal fat started to accumulate and make your pants difficult to zip. Belly overhang can develop over time due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations, hormonal shifts, and aging. As you grow older, changes in body composition—including the natural loss of lean muscle mass—along with a reduction in skin elasticity can contribute to abdominal fat. But don’t get discouraged, because we have a game plan to consider.

Jacob Siwicki, founder and head coach of Siwicki Fitness, NCSF and AFAA certified, former top 1% globally ranked Equinox group fitness instructor (2019), Dartmouth economics graduate and former Dartmouth football player, fitness expert on FOX 5 DC, ranked #1 personal trainer in D.C. in 2021, shares five chair exercises that can help shrink belly overhang faster than gym machines after 55.

“The big thing people miss is that the abs do not only work when you are standing or lying on the floor. Their job is to stabilize the spine and pelvis in every position. If you sit tall, keep the ribs stacked over the hips, and move without rocking backward, the abdominal muscles have to stay active the entire time,” Siwicki explains. “A chair also takes balance out of the equation, which lets someone focus on the core without worrying about falling. That makes these a good starting point for anyone who has been avoiding exercise because floor work or gym machines feel intimidating.”

Keep in mind that, while these exercises can help strengthen the waist and boost posture, they cannot spot-reduce fat. A defined midsection is all about strengthening the muscles while optimizing your diet and lifestyle.

So pull up a chair, take a seat, and get started.

Seated March

1. Begin seated with your feet placed hip-width apart on the floor.
2. Lift your left knee up to hip height.
3. Lower.
4. Then, lift your right knee up to hip level.
5. Lower.
6. Maintain solid posture as you continue to “march” from the seated position.

RELATED: 9 Best Daily Exercises for Women Over 50 to Sculpt a Lean Waistline

Seated Knee Tucks

1. Begin seated at the edge of a sturdy chair.
2. Slightly lean back with your hands gripping the seat.
3. Pull both knees in toward your chest while activating your core.

RELATED: 8 Bodyweight Moves That Burn Belly Fat Faster Than HIIT After 45

Seated Cross-Body Knee Lifts

1. Begin seated with your hands behind your head and your feet flat on the floor.
2. Brace your core.
3. Bring your left knee up while rotating your right elbow toward it.
4. Return to the start position.
5. Switch sides and continue to alternate.

​​RELATED: 5 Core Moves That Burn Belly Fat Faster Than Crunches

Seated Torso Rotations

1. Begin sitting tall on a sturdy chair with your feet flat on the floor. Activate your core.
2. Place your hands behind your head or cross them in front of your chest.
3. Slowly twist your torso to the left, keeping your hips facing forward.
4. Return to the center, then twist to the right.

RELATED: 5 Body-Sculpting Moves To Build a Lean Waistline

Seated Side Bends

1. Begin sitting tall with your core engaged and your feet flat on the ground.
2. Place your right hand on the side of the chair for support. Alternatively, hold a dumbbell or water bottle with that arm extended toward the floor.
3. Extend your right arm overhead and slowly bend to the right, feeling a solid stretch along the left side of your body.
4. Hold for a moment at the bottom before returning to the start position.

The post 5 Chair Exercises That Shrink Belly Overhang Faster Than Gym Machines After 55 appeared first on Eat This Not That.