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I am a 39 year old banker who sits most of the week without too much moving. I do get to the gym 2-3 times a week where I do some weights using the machines in the gym and finish with ab work. I find that regardless of the effort and how many crunches I do I just can't move the fat around my belly and love handles. Can you suggest exercises that will help get rid of my excess fat?


Name witheld


I would need to look at your programme and evaluate your lifestyle (nutrition, sleep, stress) and postural/structural needs before making concise recommendations. But I can suggest the following in terms of exercise:


1. You need to use large compound movements to train with. These are exercises that use a lot of muscle and cross multiple joints. Exercises such as Squats, dead lifts, pushes and pulls. If standing up even better. If you normally train on machines get an exercise specialist or trainer to teach you these movements.


2. Add some form of interval training to your sessions. You may add intervals at the end of your weight sessions or on the days in between. Intervals are where you perform a short burst of exercise and then rest, then repeat. Try performing sprints where you work for a minute, rest for a minute, do five circuits of these.


The above are just two adjustments that you can make to your training. Add these and you will help melt the fat off your midsection.


BJ Rule