Locations:
The short answer from a medical weight management expert
Image content: This image is available to view online.
View image online (https://assets.clevelandclinic.org/transform/af42aa1e-cec4-4b48-b78b-acf18de8b608/sitUpsBellyFat-1176156246-770x533-1_jpg)
woman performing sit ups
A: No. Sit ups are great for tightening your core. They strengthen and tone your rectus abdominus, transverse abdominus and oblique abdominal muscles as well as your neck muscles. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends three sets of 8 to 12 repetitions three times per week.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
To burn belly fat, you need 45 to 60 minutes of high-intensity cardiovascular activity (running, playing soccer or basketball, jumping rope, power-walking, etc.) on most days of the week. You also need to reduce your intake of processed foods, fast foods and alcohol.
But just because sit ups won’t get rid of your belly fat doesn’t mean you should skip them! Sit ups are essential for strengthening your core — something that’s obvious. But your core is responsible for so much more than those classic “six pack” abs many strive for. A strong core can reduce back pain, improve balance and increase your flexibility. Core muscles also support your hips and pelvis. Finally, a strong core will help you build good posture.
— Medical weight management expert Karen Cooper, DO
Advertisement
Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
A healthy diet, regular exercise and in-office treatments may help minimize the dimply appearance
Visceral fat surrounds your organs and can be more detrimental to your health
Having a BMI in the healthy range doesn’t mean you’re safe from health conditions often associated with obesity
Weight gain is natural as we age — but it can be cause for concern
Seeing double (chins) when taking selfies? From exercises to surgery, you can reduce or eliminate chin fat, but there’s no overnight solution
Planning and practicing proper form can help keep you safe from injury
Research hints at improved strength, balance, blood flow and weight loss, but more evidence is needed
Engage your core with poses like plank, boat, chair and more
This simple practice can help you notice what’s meaningful, comforting or going well
Maca root supplements claim benefits like sexual health, menopause symptom relief and more energy — but human research is limited
It can take a few months — and you’ll need to put down the tweezers to give your brows time to recover
Search
