Team Bikini Exercises: Abs
Wednesday 25 May 2011
With the stomach being probably the easiest ‘problem area’ to hide away, bikini season always creeps up on us too fast and suddenly the tummy is often what needs the most work due to the fact that it needs specific attention and plethora of clothes that can do the work for us until we need to actually expose ourselves. These exercises directly target the abs and should lead to a quick reduction in beach fear.
Crunches
The most obvious tummy flattening exercise, but also the most effective. Crunches work the entire abdominal area and are most effective for building up a washboard stomach – but beware, as they take a while to take effect, so keep crunching until you see something.
Lie on your back, and put your hands behind your ears – if you put them behind your head you’ll be using your neck and shoulder muscles and not getting the results you desire, - slowly raise yourself using your stomach muscles without letting your lower back area leave the ground. And don’t worry, they’ll get easier as time goes on! Try to do 10-15 at a time.
Twisted crunches
If crunches get too easy, then how about mixing it up? While working your abs, these also target the muscles to the side of the stomach, and are a great cure for love handles.
Again, lie on your back with your hands behind your ears, crunch upwards, but at the same time twist to bring your right elbow to point at your left knee. Relax and repeat with left elbow and right knee and follow the same routine as with regular crunches.
Reverse curl
These work the abs in the same way as the previous two, but are slightly easier than crunches. Try this if you’re finding your neck or shoulders are hurting from sit ups.
Lie on the floor with your hands by your sides, and lift your bum off the ground using only your stomach muscles until your shoulders and arms are lifted too. Hold for a few seconds before lowering, and repeat.
Toe touches
Not a test of flexibility, but an alternative method of toning your abs. In fact, this is far from the classic warm up stretch, as it’s in an entirely different position, and is great for your stomach, not your legs.
Lying on your back, point your arms straight in the air and slowly curl your body around without moving your arms, until your hands are pointing towards your toes, and if you are that flexible, touching them. Repeat a few times for best effect.
The Mountain Climber
This is fairly similar to the dreaded plank, but without the problem of making you want to give up after doing one. The mountain climber far more simple exercise that works all of the core muscles in the stomach, without causing exhaustion.
Put yourself in a push up position and bring your knees up to your chest, one leg at a time as if you were taking a huge step forward, or filming a mountain climbing sequence in a film. Keep your back straight for the best results and repeat.
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