15 Best Stretching Exercises for Weight Loss

Having a toned body and flat tummy is not too hard if you set your mind to have it at any cost. You don’t have to spend too much time at the gym doing all the workout that you seem to hate.

Practice these stretching exercises for weight loss and have your flat and toned tummy in no time.

1. Wall-Supported Standing Quad Stretch

This pose will help you unlock your hip flexors.

• Stand near a wall to hold on to it for balance support.
• Bend your left knee and catch your left foot behind you with your left hand.
• Pull your foot toward your butt as you point your knee straight toward the ground.
• Press your hips in the forward direction to create a straight line from your shoulder to your knee.

2. Double-Leg Curl

This exercise help stretches the hip flexors that cross your knee joint.

• Lie face down on your stomach.
• With both feet flexed, bend your knees so your feet come toward your butt.
• As a warm-up, hold for a while, then release, do 30 reps.
• As a cool-down stretch, hold the curl for 30 seconds.
• Rest for a moment, then do two or three more sets.

3. Side-Lying Quad Hip Stretch

This yoga pose is one the best stretch for fat loss, it also helps as a hip flexor pose.

• Lie on one of your sides and prop yourself up with your bottom forearm.
• Keep your bottom leg rested and straight on the ground.
• Bend the knee of your upper leg and hold that foot with your hand.
• Press your hips in the forward direction.

4. The Bow

The bow pose is great for removing belly fat, tightening your abs, and strengthening your core.

• Lie down facing the ground, keeping the legs straight, together, and stretched out with your arms at your side.

• Bend your knees, reach your arms down to your ankles or feet, and hold the position for a few seconds.
• Inhale slowly while lifting your head, and bend your head backward while lifting your legs as high as possible.
• Hold this position for 30 seconds, breathing slowly, in and out.
• Now exhale while returning to the previous position, keeping your legs stretched out and your arms at your sides.
• Repeat the stretch five times, resting for 20 seconds in between.

5. The Chair

This is famous for strengthening the core muscles while toning the buttocks and thighs; you would love to add it to your daily stretching routine.

• Stand as straight and tall as possible, keeping your hands straight before you.
• Raise your hands above your head while bending the knees so your thighs parallel the floor.
• Bend your torso slightly forward while slowly breathing.
• Hold this position as long as you can before slowly returning to the original standing position.
• Repeat three to five times, taking a 15-second break between each stretch.

6. Board Pose

The board pose is also great for burning belly fat; it helps strengthen the core and tone the arms, back, shoulders, thighs, and buttocks. You can also assume it is a morning weight loss yoga in bed. Avoid this one if you have a back injury.

• Start by placing your hands and knees under your arms and shoulders.
• Tuck your toes in and then put your feet back to extend your legs behind the body.
• Inhale slowly while staring at a point in front of your palms, and keep your spine and neck aligned.
• Now tighten your abdominal muscles and hold the stretch, ensuring your body is straight, your hands are flat on the ground, and your fingers are spread apart.
• Hold this stretch for 15 to 30 seconds, or longer if possible.
• Repeat five times, resting for 15 seconds between each.

7. The Tree

This pose is a total body stretch workout and is fabulous for strengthening abs muscles and toning the arms and thighs, though it should be avoided if you have a knee or back injury unless performed under the watch of a trained expert.

• Stand with your legs together, and then place most of your weight on one leg, with just a little weight on the other.
• Raise the leg with the least weight, and face your foot inward, toward the opposite knee. Hold your ankle to make it easier to pull your leg up if needed.
• Place the heel of your foot onto the inner thigh of your other leg, keeping it as close to the pelvis as possible.
• Next, gently raise your hands above your head while making sure your fingers point to the ceiling.
• Keep focused, and try to maintain your balance. Staring at an object in front of you can help you keep your balance so that you don’t fall over – don’t try to hold onto a chair or the wall for support, as it won’t be as effective.
• Breathe steadily while focusing on the chosen spot, holding for 15 to 30 seconds or longer if you can.
• Repeat three to five times, resting for 15 seconds in between.

8. Split Squat

This yoga workout for tight muscles works the calves, quads, and glutes while helping you to shed more fat.

• Stand with your feet about hip-width apart.
• Step your right foot about 12 inches in front of you.
• Curl the toes of your left foot under, keeping your weight equally between both feet and then interlace your fingers. Place your hands underneath your ribs, pressing your shoulders away from your ears.
• Tighten your pelvic floor muscles and then tuck your pelvis under and squeeze your glutes.
• Slowly bend both of your knees, coming down in three counts. You should feel a stretch along your left quad.
• Press into the floor, rising back to the starting position in three counts.
• Repeat four times and then switch legs and repeat on that side five times total.

9. The bridge

This pose is an excellent stretch for fat loss, toning the abs and thighs while strengthening the shoulders. It’s also said to help improve digestion and relieve menopause symptoms in women while stretching the neck and spine. It should be avoided if you have a back or neck injury.

• Lie flat on the floor and slowly inhale.
• Exhale slowly while pushing up and off the floor with your feet.
• Raise your body up off the floor, keeping your head and neck flat on the back, and the rest of your body up. Use your hands if you need to for support.
• If you’re flexible enough, try to clasp your fingers just below your back for an additional stretch.
• Hold for 30 seconds, and repeat, performing a total of five times.

10. Chair Hip stretch

This is a 30-minute yoga stretch and is a must for those that have to sit most of the day. It will not only help you keep your metabolism up to burn fatter, but it stretches your hips, waist, and back.

• Sit up straight in a chair, and then raise your hands up to the sky, stretching your abs out. Hold the stretch for about five seconds, release and relax.
• Raise your hands up again, this time, bending at your waist while collapsing your body to the right side.
• Continuing bending at your waist until reaching a comfortable position going as far as you can. Hold for five seconds, release and relax.
• Return to the original position, sitting up straight in the chair, and then perform the same stretch on your left side, holding for five seconds.
• Repeat three times on each side.

11. Seated Side Saddle Stretch

The stretch should be felt through the side of your trunk and somewhat in your back. This workout is best for saddlebags and cellulite.

• Sit on the floor with your legs in a wide straddle position.
• Adjust your legs so you can sit with an upright with your head aligned with your spine.
• Bring your arms to your sides with your elbows slightly bent so that your forearms are vertical to the floor.
• Tighten your abdominal muscles and pull your shoulder blades down your back.
• Exhaling, slowly bends sideways, bringing the lowered elbow down to the hip, thigh or floor, depending on your range.
• Avoid rotating your trunk or bending forward.

12. Glute Bridge on Stability Ball

This pose can be the best stretch to get you shredded.

• Lying face up, bend your knees and place your feet on top of a stability ball.
• Holding the ball in place, push through your heels and raise your hips into the air by engaging the glute muscles.
• Rest on your shoulders and the upper back while keeping the body straight from the knees to the head.
• Slowly lower the hips back down to the ground, keeping the ball still.

13. Supine Gravity Stretch

This pose works like a dynamic warm-up exercise for your whole body and is great for a 10-minute morning workout.

• Lie on a bed, high bench, or massage table on your back, with your legs hanging off the edge of the surface.
• Pull one knee in toward your chest, holding it with your hands, while you let the other leg hang down, knee soft, foot toward the floor.
• Hold for two seconds, then switch legs, going for 15 sets.
• Hold for 30 seconds on each side. Rest, do two more sets.

14. The Cobra

This pose can help strengthen your abs muscles and is one of the best stretches to burn belly fat. It also helps strengthen the upper body by building a more flexible spine.

• Lie down comfortably, allowing your stomach and forehead to touch the ground.
• Stretch your legs and position your palms beneath your shoulders, keeping your elbows parallel. Your toes and chin should now be touching the floor.
• Take a slow inhale and slowly raise your chest upward. Try to bend backward.
• Hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds, depending on your strength level.
• Now exhale slowly and bring your body back to the original position.
• Repeat the stretch five times, resting for 15 seconds between each stretch.

15. Side Lunge

This exercise targets hip flexors, quads, and hamstrings. It is also one of the most comfortable stretching exercises for older people to lose weight.

• Lunge your right leg to the side until the knee is bent 90 degrees;
• Your left leg is extended towards the left side; your left foot is on the floor;
• Lean your upper body slightly forward;
• Hold this pose for 25-30 seconds, and then switch sides.

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