All exercise has some merit, but when it comes to flattening the stomach and bringing out those washboard abs, do ab exercises really help?
No, not really.
Sit ups and other ab exercisers DO NOT get rid of stomach fat
They can burn calories like other forms of exercise.
They can help strengthen your core.
But they have very little to do with bringing out that six pack.
I did NO ab exercises for my prep when I won the 2014 NPC Grand Prix Masters and the 2015 California State Championships Masters. NONE.
Sit-ups and crunches DO NOT effectively reduce your belly fat.
Unfortunately, doing ab-targeted exercises like sit ups, crunches and side bends will do absolutely nothing to help you get rid of your ab flab, because it’s not getting at the heart of the problem. In fact, doing excessive ab-targeted moves can injure to your low back by causing unnecessary stress on your spine. This may come as a surprise but the purpose of your ab muscles is to PREVENT excessive bending and twisting.
Note: Weighted ab exercises can help add muscle to the mid section, making the 6 pack easier to see for some, but there is also a risk that if done incorrectly, you will thicken your midsection.
If you want to get rid of those pesky age-related stomach weight, you have to get to the source of the problem.
Eat less calories than you burn. One good way to do this is to increase the time spent exorcising, whether it is in the gym, walking or some other form of exercise that burns calories and helps keep your basal metabolic rate (BMR) higher.
Weight train. Weight training helps you add muscle which in turn raises your BMR allowing you to burn more calories at rest, 24/7. Weight training also help raise hormones conducive to fat burning while controling those conducive to fat storing.
Control cortisol and insulin issues through diet and stress control.
About the Author Jeff Behar 
Jeff Behar, MS, MBA, is a well-known health, fitness, wellness author and anti aging, champion natural bodybuilder (2014 Masters Grand Prix Champion, 2015 California State Masters Champion), and a recognized health, fitness and nutrition expert with over 30 years of experience in the health, fitness, disease prevention, nutrition, and anti-aging fields.
As a recognized health, fitness and nutrition expert, Jeff Behar's has been featured on several radio shows, TV, and in several popular bodybuilding publications such as Flex, Ironman and in several highly regarded peer reviewed scientific journals. Jeff Behar is also the CEO and founder www.MuscleMagFitness.com and www.MyBesthealthPortal.com and a Medical Commentator on exercise for The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the worlds largest medical academy for anti-aging and regenerative medicine, provides medical professionals with the latest Anti-Aging, regenerative, functional and metabolic medicine.
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