10 Powerful Flat Belly Workouts to Lose Belly Fat (2025)

1. Plank Variations

The plank is a powerhouse move when it comes to flat belly exercises. It’s deceptively simple—just holding your body in a straight line—but it fires up every inch of your core. And when you switch up the variations? You unlock even more belly-burning benefits.

Start with the standard forearm plank. Focus on keeping your hips level, abs tight, and shoulders stacked over your elbows. Once you’ve mastered that, spice things up with side planks to target the obliques or plank jacks to bring in a cardio element. Even lifting one leg at a time can dramatically increase the challenge.

These small changes increase time-under-tension and engage different areas of your core. Planks are low-impact, equipment-free, and scalable, making them a staple for anyone looking to strengthen their abs and flatten their stomach.

2. Bicycle Crunches

Few moves light up your core like bicycle crunches. This classic exercise doesn’t just hit the rectus abdominis (aka the six-pack), it also targets the obliques and lower abs. That rotational movement is what gives it its punch.

To do it right, lie on your back and bring your knees toward your chest. Hands behind your head, lift your shoulders off the floor and rotate your torso, bringing your right elbow to your left knee while extending the right leg. Switch sides in a pedaling motion.

The key here is slow, controlled movement—not speed. Don’t yank your neck or use momentum. Engage your abs and twist deliberately to get the full fat-burning effect. Add this to your routine and you’ll feel those deep muscles firing like never before.

3. Mountain Climbers

Want to combine cardio and core in one powerful move? Mountain climbers are your answer. These high-intensity bursts increase your heart rate while targeting the abdominal muscles, especially the lower abs.

Start in a high plank position, then drive one knee toward your chest while keeping the other leg extended. Switch legs quickly in a running motion, all while maintaining a flat back and engaged core. It’s like sprinting in place, but on your hands!

Mountain climbers are effective because they demand stability and endurance. They’re excellent for circuit-style workouts or HIIT routines aimed at belly fat reduction. Plus, they require zero equipment and take up hardly any space—perfect for small apartments or on-the-go workouts.

4. Russian Twists

If you’re looking to chisel your waistline, Russian twists should be on your radar. This seated, twisting movement is great for targeting the oblique muscles that frame your core.

Sit on the ground with your knees bent, lean back slightly, and lift your feet off the floor. With or without a weight in your hands, twist your torso from side to side, tapping the floor beside your hips each time. The twisting motion fires up the sides of your abs, helping you build definition and burn off stubborn fat.

Form matters here. Keep your chest lifted and spine neutral. If lifting your feet is too challenging at first, keep them grounded until you build more core strength. Over time, you can increase reps or add a dumbbell for extra resistance.

5. Leg Raises

Leg raises are ideal for targeting those tricky lower abdominal muscles—the area where fat tends to cling. Despite their simplicity, they require significant strength and control.

Lie flat on your back with your legs extended. Place your hands under your hips for support. Slowly lift your legs to a 90-degree angle, then lower them back down without touching the floor. Control the descent to maximize tension.

This exercise is a game-changer for building lower core strength. To modify, bend your knees slightly or reduce the range of motion. As you gain strength, try weighted ankle straps or add a hold at the top of the movement.

6. Flutter Kicks

Like leg raises, flutter kicks target the lower abs, but they add a tempo element that makes them particularly tough. These small, rapid kicks force your core to stay braced for longer periods.

Lie on your back with your hands by your sides or under your glutes. Raise your legs off the floor and alternate kicking them up and down. Keep your lower back pressed into the mat—if it arches, you’re missing the benefits and risking injury.

Flutter kicks can be included in circuits, tabatas, or endurance challenges. They’re efficient, effective, and require just a mat and a little grit.

7. Reverse Crunches

Reverse crunches flip the traditional crunch on its head—literally. Instead of lifting your upper body, you pull your knees toward your chest. This puts more emphasis on the lower abs and reduces strain on your neck.

Lie flat with knees bent and feet off the floor. Place your hands beside you or under your hips. Use your core to curl your hips off the mat and bring your knees toward your chest. Lower with control.

These crunches isolate your lower abdominal region better than traditional crunches. When done slowly and with intention, they become a secret weapon for anyone serious about flattening their belly.

8. Standing Oblique Crunches

Don’t want to get down on the floor? Standing oblique crunches offer a dynamic, fat-burning alternative that you can do anywhere—even during TV commercials!

Stand with feet hip-width apart, hands behind your head. Bring your right elbow and right knee toward each other in a crunching motion, then return to start. Repeat on the other side.

You can make this move more challenging by adding a dumbbell or resistance band. The standing position also improves posture and balance while torching calories and sculpting the sides of your waist.

9. V-Ups

V-ups are not for the faint of heart—but they’re incredible for hitting both the upper and lower abs simultaneously. This compound movement demands coordination, flexibility, and strength.

Lie flat with your arms extended overhead. In one motion, lift your legs and upper body to form a V shape. Reach for your toes, then slowly lower back down.

If you’re new to this move, start with bent knees or perform partial reps. Over time, work toward straighter legs and a full range of motion. Few exercises are as effective at building a strong, defined core.

10. Burpees with Core Focus

Burpees are the ultimate full-body fat-burner, but when you tweak them to emphasize your core, they become even more effective for belly fat loss.

Start standing, then squat down, jump into a plank, perform a push-up or mountain climber, jump back to your feet, and leap into the air. The combo of cardio, strength, and explosive movement keeps your heart pumping and your abs working overtime.

For added core engagement, add a plank twist or a forearm plank hold before jumping back up. This makes burpees even more potent at targeting that stubborn midsection.

Conclusion

Belly fat might be stubborn, but with the right moves, you can absolutely beat it. These 10 powerful flat belly workouts are more than just trendy—they’re proven, accessible, and incredibly effective. Whether you’re doing plank variations, crushing Russian twists, or sweating through mountain climbers, each of these exercises brings you closer to a stronger, leaner core.

Remember, consistency is key. Aim to incorporate these movements into your weekly routine and pair them with a balanced diet, proper hydration, and quality sleep. Progress might not happen overnight, but stick with it—and you’ll start seeing results where it matters most.

Now lace up those sneakers, roll out your mat, and take the first step toward a flatter, healthier belly. You’ve got this!