'The real key to strengthening the transverse abdominus muscle lies in very subtle movements. 'A lot of fitness activities, like aerobics, don't work the abdominal area effectively,' McNeill says. Because it is so deeply embedded, however, it is difficult to isolate. Warwick McNeill, a chartered physiotherapist based at the Physioworks clinic in London, says that strengthening one muscle above all others - the transverse abdominus - has the greatest bearing on flattening the midriff. Two of the pieces of equipment, an ab slide and a fitness ball, caused more activity in the hip flexors than in the stomach - 'an undesirable feature of abdominal exercises', the researchers concluded. On average, the products elicited no greater muscle activity than traditional sit-ups.

The study, published last year in the Journal Of Athletic Training, involved 23 men and women using various devices, while electrodes measured the stimulation to their abdominal muscles. Mostly the calories are stored as fat - 'which is why otherwise very thin people can still have a roly-poly belly'.Ī study by researchers at Kansas State University found that gadgets that promise a flat stomach with regular use might not be worth the money.

Consequently, he says, 'the body responds by storing excess calories in the abdominal region'.

According to personal trainer Kevin Barclay-Webb, whose clients include Annie Lennox and Ivana Trump, cutting calories too drastically 'increases the production of the stress hormone cortisol and insulin, which controls blood-sugar levels'. While a healthy, low-fat diet is important for reducing body fat and flattening your stomach, eating too little can backfire, with disastrous consequences for your midriff.

How to get a tight flat stomach