If you're looking to lose belly fat, incorporating free weight workouts into your fitness routine can be a highly effective approach.
Free weights, such as dumbbells and barbells, allow you to engage multiple muscle groups at once, which can increase your overall calorie burn and help you shed unwanted belly fat. Additionally, strength training can boost your metabolism, which means you'll continue to burn calories even after your workout is over.

With the right exercises and proper form, free weight workouts can help you achieve a leaner, more toned midsection. So, whether you're a seasoned weight lifter or just starting out, adding free weight exercises to your routine can help you reach your weight loss goals. Here are five exercises that can help you lose belly fat: squats, lunges, pull-ups, overhead press, and hanging leg raises.
- Squats: Squats are a compound exercise that work multiple muscle groups, including the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core. To perform a squat, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing slightly outward. Place a barbell across your upper back or hold dumbbells in each hand. Lower your body as if you're sitting back into a chair, keeping your chest up and your knees behind your toes. Go as low as you can without losing proper form, then push through your heels to stand back up. Squats help you build muscle mass, which increases your metabolism and helps you burn fat.
- Lunges: Lunges are another compound exercise that target the legs and core. To perform a lunge, stand with your feet hip-width apart and take a step forward with one foot. Lower your body until both knees form a 90-degree angle, keeping your chest up and your back straight. Push through your front heel to return to the starting position, then repeat on the other leg. Lunges help you build leg strength and improve your balance, which can help you perform other exercises with proper form.
- Pull-ups: Pull-ups are a challenging exercise that work the back, shoulders, and arms. To perform a pull-up, grip a pull-up bar with your palms facing away from you and your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Hang from the bar with your arms fully extended, then pull your body up until your chin clears the bar. Lower your body back down to the starting position, then repeat. If you can't do a full pull-up, you can modify the exercise by using an assisted pull-up machine or resistance bands. Pull-ups help you build upper body strength, which can help you perform other exercises and activities with ease.
- Overhead press: The overhead press is a compound exercise that targets the shoulders, arms, and core. To perform an overhead press, start by standing with your feet hip-width apart and holding a barbell or dumbbells at shoulder height. Press the weight overhead, extending your arms fully. Lower the weight back down to your shoulders, then repeat. Overhead press helps you build upper body strength and stability, which can help you perform other exercises and daily activities.
- Hanging leg raises: Hanging leg raises are an isolation exercise that target the abs and hip flexors. To perform a hanging leg raise, hang from a pull-up bar with your arms fully extended and your feet off the ground. Keep your legs straight and raise them until they're parallel to the ground, then lower them back down to the starting position. Hanging leg raises help you build core strength and improve your overall stability.
Incorporating these five exercises into your fitness routine can help you lose belly fat and build overall strength and fitness. Be sure to consult with a fitness professional if you're new to these exercises or have any injuries or health concerns.