Do Jumping Jacks Flatten Your Stomach?

Jumping Jacks

Jumping jacks are exercises that are common in elementary school gym classes, but they also translate well into adult fitness. They're simple, easy to perform in your home or even at work and don't require any equipment. To perform a set of jumping jacks, stand with your hands at your side and your feet at shoulder-distance apart. Jump and kick each leg out to the side and at the same time, swing each arm upward so your hands meet above your head.

Muscles

Jumping jacks work the major muscle groups throughout your body. As you leap, your core, leg and hip muscles help you get off the ground, while the action of swinging your arms overhead works your chest, arm, back and shoulder muscles. You won't feel the same burn in your abs from doing jumping jacks as from a set of planks, but you're still working these muscles.

Calories Burned

On their own, abdominal exercises won't necessarily give you a flat stomach if you hold fat in that area and your midnight snack includes doughnuts and ice cream. Common ab exercises such as crunches and planks, while effective, are not aerobic workouts, meaning they won't help you burn calories at a rapid rate. One of the perks of jumping jacks is that they're aerobic in nature. Someone who weighs 150 pounds will burn roughly 565 calories in an hour of jumping jacks, which will help you burn fat to lead to a flatter stomach.

Variations and Caution

Although jumping jacks are effective on their own, you can add weight to your body to increase the challenge of this exercise. Ankle weights, wrist weights and even a weighted vest will require your body to work harder, which will help exercise your muscles and burn calories even faster. If you have achy joints, avoid adding weights, as doing so increases the impact during each jump. Additionally, jumping jacks aren't ideal for people with sore joints, as they are a high-impact exercise.