Can planks help reduce belly fat?

Sep 08, 2020 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I am overweight and would like to lose weight. I heard that planks can help with weight loss, so I’d like to ask my doctor: Can planks reduce belly fat?

Doctor's answer (2)
Dr. Wang Guohua
Hello, reducing abdominal fat begins with dietary control and targeted abdominal exercises. Consume healthy, low-calorie, low-fat foods; avoid prolonged sitting; and refrain from sitting or lying down immediately after meals. Abdominal massage can help stimulate intestinal motility. Effective abdominal exercises include sit-ups, hula hooping, and squats. Unlike the pectoral or back muscles, the abdominal muscles consist primarily of endurance muscle groups. A simple plank exercise effectively strengthens core muscle groups—including the abdominal muscles, lumbar muscles, and pelvic floor muscles. For cardio, instead of just running for 3 minutes, you may also choose jumping rope or jogging in place. We hope this information is helpful to you. Wishing you a happy and healthy life!