Any time you see a title like this it kind of makes your heart take a little leap right? That maybe, just maybe, someone has found the one exercise that could miraculously get you six pack abs? We usually know it's probably not true as we've done something similar before but there is still that little bit of hope.
Sadly though, there is no miracle workout. These headings are there to entice you in with an end goal of making money (maybe my headline got you excited too??).
Here is what you need to know:
There is no one exercise that's best to burn belly fat. However performing compound exercises (meaning more than one muscle at a time) is a good way to burn more calories and build overall body strength.
It is physically impossible to "spot reduce" fat. Meaning we can't pick an area we want to lose weight at and it just happens. We can however do exercises to strengthen specific areas so that when we lose body fat you'll be able to see more tone (plus we will be fitter, stronger and benefit from all the many health benefits that come from exercise).
To lose fat (belly or otherwise) we need to be in a calorie deficit, which means we need to look at our diet, physical activity or both. Being in a calorie deficit means we burn more calories than we consume. This can be done by simply eating less and moving more. Don't over-complicate it or look for a quick fix. Just start to put effort into eating less and moving more and you'll start to notice a change in body composition.
We didn't wake up having gained a load of weight. Therefore, don't expect to lose it overnight. Don't look for the magic fix because it doesn't exist, it takes time, persistence and effort to change body composition.
Women are likely to lose body fat from our belly's and hips last due to our genetic make up. Instead of desiring a body shape that might well even be unrealistic and potentially unhealthy for you to achieve, try shifting your focus to what your body is capable of. Each workout find out what your body can do, rather than what it can look like and you will honestly set yourself free - you might not need to click on one of those headlines ever again!
So the next time you see an article like that, smile to yourself because you understand you're being advertised to (and there's nothing wrong with that). You can still check out the workouts but know with confidence that you'll be getting exercises, not magic. And each day, instead of comparing your body to others, be happy with all your body can do, and keep working to become the best version of yourself you can be.
Good luck!