4 Standing Moves That May Tone the Lower Belly Faster Than Walking After 65

Building abdominal strength can help improve posture, muscle tone, and overall stability.

Walking is a great way to burn calories, support muscle and bone health, and improve cardiovascular fitness. Although no exercise can target fat loss in just one area, regular walking can help lower overall body fat. Keeping a calorie deficit can also speed up progress. Still, there is another approach worth adding to your routine.

We talked with Nonna Gleyzer, a celebrity Pilates trainer and fitness expert, who shares four standing exercises that can help tighten and tone your midsection faster than walking after 65.

“The first thing I tell people is to let go of the idea that you have to lie on the floor and do endless crunches to strengthen your stomach,” Gleyzer says. “Many of my favorite core exercises are standing moves, especially for older clients. What I love about standing exercises is that you’re training the muscles in the position you use during daily life. You’re teaching your body to stabilize, shift weight, and maintain balance. Walking is excellent for cardiovascular health, but it doesn’t challenge those muscles in quite the same way.”

Standing Knee Raises

1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
2. Use the back of a sturdy chair or a countertop for support if needed.
3. Lift your left knee to hip height, pausing briefly at the top while keeping your core engaged.
4. Lower it back down.
5. Repeat on the right side, holding briefly before lowering.
6. Keep your posture steady and breathe evenly throughout.
7. Complete 10 repetitions on each side.

Standing Cross-Body Crunches

“Don’t rush. I want you to feel your waist muscles working. This move targets the obliques, improves coordination, and helps strengthen the muscles that support your spine,” Gleyzer says.

1. Stand tall with your hands behind your head.
2. Bring your right elbow toward your left knee.
3. Return to center.
4. Bring your left elbow toward your right knee.
5. Keep alternating while engaging your obliques.
6. Perform 10 repetitions on each side.

Standing Side Leg Raises

“People don’t always think of this as an abdominal exercise, but your core has to work to keep you stable. You’re also strengthening your hips, which are so important for balance and preventing falls,” Gleyzer says.

1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips, or hold the back of a sturdy chair for support.
2. Engage your core and shift your weight onto your left leg.
3. Keep your right leg straight and your toes pointed forward as you lift it out to the side as high as feels comfortable.
4. Pause briefly at the top before lowering.
5. Do 10 to 12 repetitions on each side.

Standing March With Overhead Reach

“This works your core, arms, and legs together while improving coordination. If reaching overhead feels uncomfortable, keep your arms lower,” Gleyzer explains.

1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
2. Lift your left knee to hip height while reaching your right arm overhead.
3. Lower.
4. Then lift your right knee to hip level while raising your left arm overhead.
5. Lower.
6. Continue maintaining good posture as you drive each knee up toward your chest and reach the opposite arm toward the ceiling.