Having a belly is one of the most common physical concerns, and also one of the most difficult to address successfully. The abdominal area has become a top priority for many people who want to look better, but also feel lighter, more agile, or healthier. On that path, abs have been the star exercise for years—or at least that's what we thought.
In recent days, personal trainer MarcosDaz has delivered a message that has surprised and relieved people in equal measure. Through a video on TikTok, he has stated emphatically that doing abs to lose belly fat is not only useless, but it can also be counterproductive. "These exercises are super ineffective and more likely to cause you a hernia," he has warned.
Goodbye to one of the great fitness myths
This statement has shaken one of the great beliefs in the fitness world. For decades, it has been repeated that more abs equals less belly, as if it were a magic formula. However, Marcos has assured that this formula simply doesn't work.
According to what he explains in the video, you can't eliminate abdominal fat by doing localized exercises. "You'll never get rid of abdominal fat, or the love handles on your sides, or the little belly that hangs over your pants if you don't stop doing hundreds of abs," he has stated. For him, the approach should be different: tackle the problem at its root.
The two steps no one had explained to you to lose fat
The first step he has proposed is to calculate maintenance calories and apply a caloric deficit. "Multiply your weight in kg (kilograms) by 30 to get your maintenance calories and subtract between 300 and 500 calories," he has indicated. That calculation will give you the calories you need to start losing fat effectively.
The second step has focused on taking care of muscle mass during that process. That's why he recommends consuming two grams of protein per kg (kilogram) of body weight per day. According to him, this habit promotes more efficient fat loss and prevents the body from losing tone.
Smart training for a toned abdomen
Unlike what many believe, it's not about stopping abdominal training, but about doing it sensibly. Exercises like leg raises or cable crunches activate the muscle without harming the back. In addition, they strengthen the core without relying on the classic floor crunch.
For the trainer, what's important isn't intensity, but strategy. Keeping good habits for long enough is what makes the difference. Because sometimes, the secret to reducing belly fat isn't doing more, but doing it better.