A physical therapist shares 5 chair moves that address lower belly fat after 60.<\/p>\n
Many people believe that crunches are an effective way to burn stubborn belly fat. While this classic ab exercise can be a solid addition to a well-rounded workout, it isn\u2019t the best way to address this area of the body. Tightening and toning the lower belly<\/a> requires establishing a calorie deficit<\/a>, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and following just the right workout.<\/p>\n The good news is, if getting down on\u2014and up from\u2014the ground feels challenging in this stage of life, all you really need is a sturdy chair to get started on a productive, sustainable fitness routine. We spoke with Dr. Andrew Gorecki, PT, DPT, FAFS<\/b><\/a>, Owner of Superior Physical Therapy in Traverse City, MI, and co-founder\/CEO of MovementRx, a remote therapeutic monitoring platform used by PT clinics nationwide, who suggests including chair exercises<\/a> in your routine. Dr. Gorecki works regularly with older adults on core function, balance, and fall prevention, and shares five stellar chair exercises that can help firm your lower belly.<\/p>\n Before getting started, it\u2019s important to keep in mind that you cannot spot-reduce fat. When you shed fat, you lose it throughout your entire body\u2014not just in one specific area.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat chair exercises *can* do, and what matters far more after 60, is rebuild deep core control, lumbopelvic stability, and the kind of trunk function that protects the low back, improves posture, and reduces fall risk,\u201d Dr. Gorecki explains. \u201cThe \u2018firmer-looking\u2019 midsection people see is usually the result of better postural control and deep core activation, not fat loss.\u201d<\/p>\n Crunches fire up the surface six-pack muscles, while your lower belly is controlled by the transverse abdominis (TA), otherwise known as the \u201ccorset muscle.\u201d According to Dr. Gorecki, you train the TA by intentional breathing and bracing your core\u2014not by simply curling up off the mat. That\u2019s where these chair exercises come into play.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter 60, the best core exercise is the one you\u2019ll actually do every day. A chair-based routine you can do during a TV commercial beats a perfect floor program you\u2019ll skip,\u201d Dr. Gorecki shares.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e<\/p>\n \tSeated Marches<\/p>\n \u201cThis exercise targets the transverse abdominis and hip flexors together\u2014the foundation of lower-core control,\u201d Dr. Gorecki says.<\/p>\n\n