This week I started doing crunches and working up the number every few days like monday-wednesday I did 50 crunches and 50 reverse crunches in the morning, and I was planning on adding an extra 100 each day like 100 total crunches to 200 total so on so forth. I just had a question about doing this. Would it just tone the muscles under my small belly without showing or would it make me burn the fat off and get a flatter tummy?

It will primarily develop and tone the muscles in your belly, and it will burn fat in your general metabolism. You can't spot reduce. Your body decides which fat you burn, and it usually takes from all over.

If you are most interested in being ripped, reduce your calories by 30%.

Tao

Doing crunches strengthens a small group of muscles. It doesn't reduce fat on your belly. To do that, you have to watch your diet and do more cardio.

If you can do 100+ crunches, you are wasting your time. You should be challenging your body by increasing the difficulty, not the number of reps. Try doing the Plank instead. Of if you love crunches, do them with your hands over your head holding a weight.

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Originally Posted by Eileen G

Doing crunches strengthens a small group of muscles. It doesn't reduce fat on your belly. To do that, you have to watch your diet and do more cardio.

If you can do 100+ crunches, you are wasting your time. You should be challenging your body by increasing the difficulty, not the number of reps. Try doing the Plank instead. Of if you love crunches, do them with your hands over your head holding a weight.

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This!! Cruches don't get you flat abs!!

First of all, you have NO REASON to be adding another 100 crunches. Period. Just don't do this.

If you follow good form, with proper breathing, and proper muscle contraction and control, you should be able to get away with doing about three sets of 20-25 reps. Anything past that is just overkill and a waste of time for most people.

Think fitness models and bodybuilders get that way by just adding another 100 reps? Nope. You want to get the best results out of the most efficient workout. That means good form. Proper muscle engagement. Good breathing and technique. Sometimes it means more weight resistance.

It is possible to learn, but many don't take the time. So... please don't just add more reps... chances are it'll just leave you frustrated.

Crunches will not spot reduce at the belly. That said, I am a BIG FAN of focusing on your core (abs, back) when working out... pilates, for ex, can kick my arse from one coast to the next... those skinny little girls that teach pilates classes scare the crap out of me. Sure, I can bench press them, but they can make me wish I was dead in a heartbeat.

Those girls are mean.

Off topic. Uh... I guess my point is one of the most successful things I've seen in all the time I've been working out is not adding reps... it is a focus on form, muscle engagement, breathing, and getting the most out of an efficient workout. And core strenghtning workouts get you stronger and make you less prone for injury.

You can have a rocking 6/8 pack hidden under belly fat. Honestly... some people will never have that kind of definition. I know a woman who can hold a pike position for 40 minutes during pilates (which I sure as hell cannot do) and she doesn't have the fitness model definition... but you'd better believe she has good lines and a strong core.

This isn't an end all be all video, but take a look at it... it has jillian michaels of Biggest Loser fame... who shows some simple ways to have good form and to amp up your workout with simple changes.

Jillian Michaels shows you how to get six pack abs

In the end, if you are looking for a drop in "fat" in the belly, you are looking at needing to address overall body fat, since there is no great method of spot reduction.