Pick up just about any magazine on health or fitness and there are guaranteed to be articles on stomach-firming exercises.

And it is not really surprising since this is the one stand-out thing that people want – flatter, wash-board stomachs.

Some of the questions these magazines try to answer are why certain people have flatter tummies then others, and how they achieved this.

Looking at each in turn we can see that the reasons are numerous, but that there are common themes;

1. Diet

Those who are able to achieve flatter, more toned stomachs tend to eat balanced diets, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, plenty of fibre and everything in moderation.

If your calorific intake is significantly more than others is it any wonder that they find it easier than you?

2. Exercise

Some individuals spend time daily doing abdominal-flattening exercises, whilst others do not. Even if you eat well and eat healthily this is not enough to guarantee a flatter stomach.

3. Heredity

It is true that some people are genetically predisposed to have a certain shape.

That is not to say that you cannot overcome such genetic conditioning, but it may make it easier or harder to achieve that flatter stomach you seek.

Working harder, paying closer attention to your diet, exercise and conditioning will help even if you feel you are fighting an uphill battle.

4. Medical Conditions

Some people will find it more difficult to undertake a stomach-flattening course of exercise.

Pregnant or post-partum women should take things in moderation increasing their intensity only when safe to do so, and it is essential that they do so under medical advice.

Other medical conditions (skeletal, muscular and others) will also have an impact and any training plan should match their needs.

So How Can I Achieve A Firmer Stomach?

Well it is beyond question that regardless of what you have highlighted above, a training plan built around stomach firming exercises will get you the required results more quickly.

Managed well, these can also counteract the problems of heredity and medical limitations.

As you probably realize there are literally hundreds of different exercises you could use, but not all are suitable for all ages, shapes and fitness levels.

The Internet is a handy source of information, as are libraries, book stores and even fitness instructors. But before you start it is good to keep in mind that there are differences between flattening your stomach and building abdominal muscles, even though the methods for each can be similar.

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One thing to keep in mind as a person works on stomach flattening exercise is that the routine he or she does should include exercises that are meant to flatten each different area of the stomach, and not just concentrate on one set of muscles.

You will therefore need to employ a range of different exercises to be successful in flattening the stomach.

A flatter tummy can lead to more confidence, improved health and better overall strength. It is a reasonable aim to want to have a flatter stomach, but is not out of reach unless a specific medical reason exists.

Remember that a flatter stomachs do not appear overnight, it takes time, energy and dedication, but the results are worth it.