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News: Aerobic exercise best to lose belly fat

I've done countless sit-ups over the years, yet they never seem to have much effect on the way my stomach looks. But new research from the Duke University Medical Centre could help me achieve my flat belly—or at least reduce fat around my midsection.

The results of the eight-month study, published in the American Journal of Physiology, indicate aerobic exercise (such as jogging) is better than resistance training (such as weight lifting) for reducing belly fat.

According to USAToday.com, researchers looked at how these two types of exercise affected visceral and liver fat, which is located deep within the abdomen and fills the spaces between internal organs. This type of fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.

On average, aerobic exercise burned 67 percent more calories than resistance training, and significantly reduced belly fat and its corresponding health risks.

By increasing my aerobic exercise and then toning with some strength training, perhaps next summer I'll have those abs I've always wanted.

Are you getting enough aerobic exercise with your workout?

Posted by Melissa Greer onWednesday, August 31st, 2011 - 11:59am

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4 Comments

This is a great article and I agree that aerobic training has many advantages in reducing belly fat. People always look it as aerobic training VS strength training which one is better? The best thing possible like said here is to incorporate both into your exercise regimen. By combining both into your program you can have a benefit of adding strength as well as a side benefit of enhancing cardiovascular endurance as well. Strength training and aerobic training are quite different but by adding strength training with your aerobic training it can add flexibility and help you lose body fat. This newsletter helped me with the struggles of choosing which one to pick; http://www.torontofitnessonline.com/2012/04/23/aerobic-exercise-or-strength-training/. In conjunction with this article it has really helped me choose which program I should be using. Strength training can have a wide variety of advantages but aerobic training can help you lose body fat as well.

Submitted by ryan carr on Mon, 2012-12-03 3:28pm.

Yes, jogging is good! Initially you may have some soreness, but that is usually due to starting out to hard. If you ease into jogging by doing equal walking/jogging splits, then slowly cut down walking time, you will not get so sore. But diet is a HUGE part of cutting belly fat. I have been trail running for 6 months training for a 50km ultra and I have NOT reduced my belly size because I eat way too much food.

Submitted by melhaywire on Tue, 2011-09-06 9:01am.

It took 8 months to figure out that cardio burns more fat than weights? Really?!

Submitted by DL on Fri, 2011-09-02 12:30pm.

I fully agree with doing aerobics for exercise but jogging is a BIG no no, if you are over weight or carrying a little extra fat. Try walking up hills, using ankle weights or through a plowed field. It's far more effective then jogging and ending up with shin splints. The best for your over all body work out is swimming. Who cares if you are a little large in the mid section. HIT THE POOL! After all it's your health, not anybody elses, to worry about. Most important thing to remember is to have fun and stick with it. If it isn't fun you will only hurt yourself in the end.

Submitted by Sara on Fri, 2011-09-02 11:06am.