Best exercises to burn belly fat: Do these for 15 minutes daily to trim your waistline

Jumping jacks is a classic cardio exercise known for its effectiveness in engaging multiple muscle groups. As you perform this simple yet dynamic movement, your heart rate elevates, promoting calorie burn and contributing to overall fat loss. One of the key benefits of jumping jacks is its ability to engage various parts of the body simultaneously.

From the moment you start, your core, legs, and arms are all in action. The rhythmic motion of jumping jacks requires your core muscles to stabilise your body, while your legs perform the jumping motion, and your arms swing overhead. This coordinated effort not only burns calories but also helps in toning and strengthening these muscle groups.

The beauty of jumping jacks is its versatility and accessibility. You can do it virtually anywhere without any equipment. Whether included in a warm-up routine or as part of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session, jumping jacks are a valuable addition to any workout regimen.

2. Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers are a dynamic exercise that packs a punch, targeting the core while also offering a cardio boost. This exercise involves starting in a high plank position and then alternatingly bringing your knees towards your chest in a running motion.

This exercise has many benefits. It helps engage not only your core but also your hip flexors and shoulders. This engagement of multiple muscle groups makes mountain climbers an efficient full-body workout.

One of the primary ways mountain climbers helps is by intensively engaging the core muscles. This continuous contraction of the abdominal muscles not only burns calories but also works towards toning and sculpting the midsection. Additionally, the cardio element of mountain climbers elevates your heart rate, contributing to improved cardiovascular fitness.

3. Bicycle Crunches

Bicycle crunches is a widely recognised, and comprehensive, core exercise known for its effectiveness in targeting the rectus abdominis and obliques. This exercise begins with lying on your back, hands supporting your head, and knees bent. As you perform bicycle crunches, you mimic a cycling motion by bringing opposite elbow towards opposite knee in a twisting motion. The twisting motion involved in bicycle crunches improves flexibility in the torso and spine.

4. High Knees

High knees is a dynamic exercise that involves running in place while vigorously bringing your knees up towards your chest. This movement creates a high-intensity cardio workout that offers numerous benefits for your overall fitness.

One of the primary advantages of high knees is its exceptional impact on cardiovascular health. By elevating your heart rate, high knees effectively improve cardiovascular endurance and stamina. Additionally, this exercise provides an excellent lower body workout, targeting muscles such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves.

Beyond the lower body, high knees also engage the core muscles significantly. The action of lifting the knees requires core stabilisation to maintain balance and control. This dual engagement of the core and lower body makes high knees a comprehensive exercise for overall strength and stability.

Incorporating high knees into your workout routine can be beneficial for anyone seeking to improve their cardiovascular fitness, lower body strength, and core stability. Whether used as a warm-up or part of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session, high knees offer a dynamic and efficient way to boost your overall fitness levels.

5. Plank

Planks are a foundational static exercise where the body maintains a straight line from forearms to toes, engaging a multitude of muscles. This exercise is renowned for its ability to target the entire core, including the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques.

The benefits of planks extend beyond just the core muscles. By holding this position, the entire body is engaged, from shoulders to glutes, promoting overall strength and stability. The rectus abdominis, the front layer of abdominal muscles, is strengthened, leading to a tighter midsection. The transverse abdominis, a deep-lying muscle that acts like a corset around your midsection, is also engaged, helping to improve core strength and support for the spine.

Additionally, planks contribute to better posture as they strengthen the muscles responsible for holding the spine in alignment. As you consistently practice planks, you'll likely notice improvements in your posture, which can alleviate back pain and reduce the risk of injury during other exercises or daily activities.