When it comes to achieving flatter, firmer abdominal muscles – and therefore a more toned and shapely midriff – the first exercise that probably comes to mind is crunches. And while the classic crunch is all well and good and its benefits are certainly not to be sniffed at, it’s not the only exercise on the block when it comes to your stomach.

We’ve all heard the myths about lifting weights making women bulky. However, that’s far from being true - when you pick up heavy things, your muscles get stronger, not necessarily bigger. That’s why every woman should incorporate weight training sessions into her workout routines, in order to get a leaner and stronger body.

When was the last time you changed your routine at the gym? Most people stick to a tried-and-true formula of 30 minutes to an hour of cardio plus weight training a specific muscle group. The problem with doing that repeatedly is two-fold, however. Mentally, you become less engaged and less motivated to work out, while physically your body adapts to the routine, meaning your fitness levels plateau and results decrease.

As a fitness fanatic, you’ve probably tried most exercise programs out there - from running on treadmills, spinning or hitting the hot yoga studios. These activities all have their advantages. But to really get the most out of any form of fitness training, you need to incorporate a little weight training into your workouts.

Women engaged in the battle of the belly fat bulge will understand just how difficult this abdominal bulk is to budge. Of course, having some fat around the hips is natural for a woman, as emphasized by super size-zero celebrities with hip bones that jut out and concave rather than toned and flat stomachs.