Not everyone who wants to know how to flatten the stomach is fat, but their stomach still sticks out (much to their chagrin), and this is an article for those people.
A simple exercise which many old school bodybuilders used to utilise could be just the ticket to effectively ‘pulling in’ the stomach muscles, and, it’s aptly named the stomach vacuum exercise.
Here’s how it’s done:
1: In a standing position, back straight, shoulders back head facing forwards, take a deep breath or two and then exhale completely.
2: Without breathing again, pull the stomach in as far as you can, and hold this position for around 15 to 20 seconds. Be as relentless as possible, aiming to maintain pressure right up to the end of the set.
3: Let out (breath again!), and rest for 30 seconds to a minute, then repeat. Repeat for a total of 5 sets.
Your stomach area will feel strange for a while after performing this exercise, because it’s simply not something the average person is used to doing. But that’s good – that shows you have effectively worked the inner muscles.
Remember, just because the muscles are deep in the body, doesn’t mean they don’t need the same treatment as other muscles you are trying to build. So, rest, and eat, and don’t do this exercise anymore than every 72 hours.
Over time, this exercise should strengthen the muscles which pull the distended stomach inwards, effectively working to flatten the stomach.