How to Stomach Vacuum for a Strengthened Core: Proper Form & Benefits

Enhance your core muscles with this incredibly effective exercise

If you’ve been looking for a simple muscle-building exercise to strengthen your abs and improve your posture, the stomach vacuum is it! You can do this exercise in almost any position, including standing, sitting, and kneeling, so no matter what, you’ll be able to find a comfortable variation that works for you. Read on to learn how to stomach vacuum safely and effectively.

Things You Should Know

  • Exhale all the air in your body while pulling your belly button to your spine. Hold this position for 20 seconds, then release.
  • You can do a stomach vacuum in a variety of different positions, such as standing, sitting, kneeling, and on your back or stomach. Find a position that works best for you.
  • For best results, stomach vacuum for 5 reps 3-4 times weekly. You should start to feel your core strengthening in around 3 weeks.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Performing the Exercise

  1. Image titled Do the Stomach Vacuum Exercise Step 1
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    Start by standing up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. You can position yourself for this exercise in several ways, but standing up straight is the simplest way to begin. Stand straight and keep your shoulders back so that you're not slouching.[1]
    • While standing straight with good posture is best, comfort is more important, so don’t strain yourself by standing too erect.
    • You can also do this exercise on your back, on your stomach, sitting down, or kneeling.[2]
  2. Image titled Do the Stomach Vacuum Exercise Step 2
    2
    Breathe in through your nose slowly for 3-5 seconds. Take a deep breath in, filling your lungs up with air. Take your time and continue inhaling for roughly 3-5 seconds.[3]
    • If your nose is congested, breathe in slowly through your mouth instead.
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  3. Image titled Do the Stomach Vacuum Exercise Step 3
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    Exhale through your mouth for 5 seconds and flex your stomach. Let out the air through your mouth instead of your nose for more control over your breathing. As you exhale for around 5 seconds, pull your stomach muscles inward and hold.[4]
    • Try to exhale all the air through your mouth in roughly 3-5 seconds.
    • You may also want to add a pelvic tilt as you contract your abdominal muscles to work your lower back.
  4. Image titled Do the Stomach Vacuum Exercise Step 4
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    Suck in your belly button towards your spine as far as possible. While you exhale, suck in your stomach as far as it will go. To get the best muscle workout possible, picture flattening your belly button against your backbone.[5]
    • The stomach vacuum is an isometric contraction (tensing the muscle without moving it) and can seriously strengthen your abs and back by exercising the transversus abdominis (TVA), which is your deepest abdominal muscle.
    • If you can’t suck your stomach in very far, that’s okay! This step takes practice, and your ability to execute it properly will improve over time.
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    Hold this position for roughly 20 seconds. If you’re just learning this exercise, you may only be able to hold it for 5-10 seconds, but as you improve, holding this position for 20 seconds is ideal. It’s okay if your stomach protrudes again as you fill your lungs with air, just keep holding your muscles tight.[6]
    • Don’t feel the need to hold your breath while you perform this exercise, as continued inhales and exhales are expected.
    • Regularly practicing this exercise will help you increase the time you can hold your breath and contract your stomach muscles, eventually reaching as long as 60 seconds.
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    Release your stomach muscles and breathe in. Allow your muscles to relax and let your stomach fall into its original position. Then, take a nice, deep breath in.[7]
    • Remember to do this exercise slowly and carefully, monitoring your breathing.
  7. Image titled Do the Stomach Vacuum Exercise Step 7
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    Repeat this exercise 5 times before taking a break. People with more experience doing this exercise can go up to 10 times before stopping, but starting with 5 reps is best. Breathe in and out deeply each time, counting the seconds of how long you’re able to hold in your stomach.[8]
    • You may need to break up the stomach vacuums. For example, you could do 2, then take a 1- or 2-minute break before doing another 3.
    • Stomach vacuum 3-4 times a week. You should notice your core getting stronger around 3 weeks after starting!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Choosing a Position

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    Exercise standing up to ensure you have the right posture. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, making sure they’re both flat on the ground. Keep your back straight as you breathe in and out, repeating the same sucking-in technique for around 20 seconds.[9]
    • You can do this while standing in line at the store or even when you're cooking in the kitchen.
  2. Image titled Do the Stomach Vacuum Exercise Step 9
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    Do stomach vacuum exercises while sitting down for convenience. If you’re in the car or sitting at work, you can still do these exercises to strengthen your body. Sit up straight in your chair and place your hands beside your thighs (if possible). Relax your shoulders by keeping them down and slightly pulled back. Begin breathing in slowly and exhaling all the air in your lungs before sucking in your stomach and holding the position for around 20 seconds.[10]
    • It’s especially important that you have great posture while doing this exercise if you’ve chosen to do it sitting down, as slouching may cause muscle strain.
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    Lie down on your back for controlled stomach vacuum exercises. As you lie on your back, bend your knees, so your feet are flat on the ground. Place your hands on the ground next to you, and begin breathing in slowly before exhaling all of the air in your lungs. Then, suck in your stomach and hold the position for around 20 seconds in reps of 3.[11]
    • You may opt to round your body by lifting your head and shoulders slightly forward off the ground to make this exercise more effective.
  4. Image titled Do the Stomach Vacuum Exercise Step 11
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    Kneel on the ground for a stable exercising position. Place your hands with your palms flat on the ground right below your shoulders. Then, place your knees on the ground so that your legs make a 90-degree angle with the floor. The tops of your feet should be resting on the floor so your heels are off the ground. Breathe in deeply and suck in your stomach for 20 seconds while holding this position.[12]
    • Look down towards your hands as you hold this position.
    • Keep your back straight and avoid arching it.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Does the stomach vacuum exercise really work?
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Licensed Physical Therapist
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA is a Licensed Physical Therapist and the Founder of WiseBody Physical Therapy out of New York, NY. With over 22 years of experience, Patricia specializes in providing a collaborative and holistic approach to pain, including nerve and chronic pain, injury prevention, and prenatal/postpartum wellness. She holds a BS in Physical Therapy from New York University. Patricia is a Certified Behavioral Breathing Analyst (CBBA) and holds certifications in Kinetic Control’s Performance Matrix Assessment Screen and the Integrative Systems Model. She co-founded First 1000 Days of Wellness, an educational platform for practitioners and the public to improve perinatal wellness. Patricia has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, and Men’s Health and has made television appearances on NBC and CBS.
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Licensed Physical Therapist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, although you need to make sure that you're breathing from your diaphragm. It's really essential. If you don't, you're really not going to see a ton of benefits.
  • Question
    I feel like I'm doing this wrong. Are there any tricks to getting better at this?
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Licensed Physical Therapist
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA is a Licensed Physical Therapist and the Founder of WiseBody Physical Therapy out of New York, NY. With over 22 years of experience, Patricia specializes in providing a collaborative and holistic approach to pain, including nerve and chronic pain, injury prevention, and prenatal/postpartum wellness. She holds a BS in Physical Therapy from New York University. Patricia is a Certified Behavioral Breathing Analyst (CBBA) and holds certifications in Kinetic Control’s Performance Matrix Assessment Screen and the Integrative Systems Model. She co-founded First 1000 Days of Wellness, an educational platform for practitioners and the public to improve perinatal wellness. Patricia has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, and Men’s Health and has made television appearances on NBC and CBS.
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Licensed Physical Therapist
    Expert Answer
    Yes! It can definitely be a little tricky. I think it often helps to picture it as a kind of single motion. Imagine yourself drawing in the skin just above your pubic bone. Then, pull your stomach in at an upward angle towards your spine. Once you feel the deepest part of your core engaged, you've got it!
  • Question
    What muscle is being worked here?
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Licensed Physical Therapist
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA is a Licensed Physical Therapist and the Founder of WiseBody Physical Therapy out of New York, NY. With over 22 years of experience, Patricia specializes in providing a collaborative and holistic approach to pain, including nerve and chronic pain, injury prevention, and prenatal/postpartum wellness. She holds a BS in Physical Therapy from New York University. Patricia is a Certified Behavioral Breathing Analyst (CBBA) and holds certifications in Kinetic Control’s Performance Matrix Assessment Screen and the Integrative Systems Model. She co-founded First 1000 Days of Wellness, an educational platform for practitioners and the public to improve perinatal wellness. Patricia has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, and Men’s Health and has made television appearances on NBC and CBS.
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
    Licensed Physical Therapist
    Expert Answer
    The transversus abdominus, which is the deepest muscle in your core. This exercise is popular because it's usually really hard to exercise that part of your body.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stomach-vacuuming-easiest-way-to-flat-abs-or-too-124015211072.html
  2. ↑ https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stomach-vacuuming-easiest-way-to-flat-abs-or-too-124015211072.html
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2PliOQHQ4c#t=9s
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9msEniBkbU#t=1m8s
  5. ↑ Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA. Licensed Physical Therapist. Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2PliOQHQ4c#t=15s
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2PliOQHQ4c#t=27s
  8. ↑ https://news.yahoo.com/ab-exercise-called-stomach-vacuum-164749376.html
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9msEniBkbU#t=49s
  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDx1xfSobG4#t=3m11s
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9msEniBkbU#t=50s
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDx1xfSobG4#t=2m39s
  4. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9493770/

About This Article

Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
Co-authored by:
Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA
Licensed Physical Therapist
This article was co-authored by Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA and by wikiHow staff writer, Savannah Vold. Patricia Ladis PT, CBBA is a Licensed Physical Therapist and the Founder of WiseBody Physical Therapy out of New York, NY. With over 22 years of experience, Patricia specializes in providing a collaborative and holistic approach to pain, including nerve and chronic pain, injury prevention, and prenatal/postpartum wellness. She holds a BS in Physical Therapy from New York University. Patricia is a Certified Behavioral Breathing Analyst (CBBA) and holds certifications in Kinetic Control’s Performance Matrix Assessment Screen and the Integrative Systems Model. She co-founded First 1000 Days of Wellness, an educational platform for practitioners and the public to improve perinatal wellness. Patricia has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, and Men’s Health and has made television appearances on NBC and CBS. This article has been viewed 551,723 times.
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Co-authors: 9
Updated: March 17, 2023
Views: 551,723
Categories: Back Exercises
Article SummaryX

The stomach vacuum exercise is a great way to strengthen your abs and help improve your posture To do the stomach vacuum exercise, first stand up straight and breathe in through your nose for 5 seconds. Then, slowly exhale through your mouth for 5 seconds while sucking your belly button in as far as it will go. Hold your stomach in for at least 20 seconds. While you contract and suck your stomach in, continue breathing. After 20 seconds, release your stomach muscles and allow your belly to expand. That counts as 1 rep. Do 5 reps per workout. Over time, work your way up to holding your stomach in for 60 seconds per rep. You can do the stomach vacuum exercise in a variety of other positions too, like sitting in a chair, lying down, or while doing a plank. For more tips from our Personal Training co-author, including how to do the stomach vacuum exercise sitting or lying down, read on!

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