Question:

I see all these people at my gym doing sit-ups. I hate sit-ups, but I really want to get rid of my flabby stomach. Is there any way to get a flatter tummy without doing them?

Answer:

Happily, yes. But before you start dreaming of a six-pack stomach, here's a cold hard truth: if you're carrying around excess weight in the form of body fat, all the sit-ups in the world won't get rid of it. Instead, you've got to lose that extra fat, slowly but surely with exercise (both cardiovascular and strength training) and diet control.

That said, you shouldn't give up on abdominal work. You need strong abdominal muscles because they stabilize your spine as you move. Attention to them can prevent or minimize back problems, not to mention make you look better by improving your posture. Fortunately for people like you, sit-ups aren't the only way to tone the abdomen.

Some of the most effective alternatives come from an exercise regimen called Pilates (pronounced "puh-LAH-teez"). These exercises, often done on a mat or on specially designed exercise machines, challenge your abs to work with your spinal muscles to hold your spine in good alignment. Dancers, models, and other body-conscious types swear by them.

Try the "hover" move. Prop yourself into a modified push-up, supporting your weight on your forearms and your toes (legs straight), and try to hold the position for 30 seconds. Be sure to pull your abs in and imagine bracing your spine with them. You can drop to your knees to make it easier or lift one foot slightly off the floor to make it harder.

Another option for the sit-up hater is a physioball. These large, plastic inflatable balls (most gyms now have them in various sizes) can be used in many ways to work the abs. Try positioning yourself on a ball as though you were doing a sit-up on the ground. Your back is on the ball, your hands are behind your head, and your feet are on the floor with knees bent. Perform a typical crunch from this position.

Finally, make an effort to "suck it in" during all your daily activities. While you're sitting, standing, driving, swinging a tennis racquet, or pushing a vacuum cleaner, try to keep your abdominal muscles contracted. This small daily habit can help improve your body center's endurance and strength, as well as lending a flatter appearance to your abdomen.

Kathy Stevens, based in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., is a Reebok master trainer and program developer as well as a member of the board of training and education for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America.

If your question concerns an acute medical condition requiring immediate assistance, please contact your regular physician.