One of the most common misconceptions about exercise is that you're able to target one area by focusing all your attention there. I hate to break it to you, but that's just not the way things work. This outdated concept, known as spot reduction, "is the farthest thing from the truth and the science of physiology when we apply it to human beings, especially when we talk about such a vital part of your body as the hips and trunk," Michael Olzinski, MSc, Equinox run coach, and Lululemon run coach, told POPSUGAR. Oftentimes, you need to train multiple areas of your body in order to see the results you're looking for in a particular spot. In this case, when we're talking about how to get a slim waist, exercises beyond oblique work are required.
Michael shared that he believes in the training the "largest, biggest, strongest, and most metabolic muscles that are closest to your area of concern." If your goal is to slim your waistline, you'll need to train the muscle group below the waist (glutes, hip flexors, quads, and hamstrings), as well as what lies above (obliques, trunk, lower back, lats, and chest). The secret to zapping belly fat, according to Michael: building both a strong upper and lower body. Cue the gasps. Also, make sure you're staying in a healthy calorie deficit.
Now that we've got the truth bomb out of the way, let's dive straight into which exercises will help you slim out the waistline.
These exercises can only do so much, though. Michael says that a balance of these moves, cardio training, and proper nutrition will truly help you achieve the results you're seeking.