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7 Waist-Slimming Ab Exercises

Side Plank-Up
Targets: Rectus and transversus abdominis, obliques, and inner thighs Lie on left side on floor with legs stacked and a rolled-up towel between thighs, propping torso on left elbow so that left forearm is perpendicular to torso. Make it easier: Stagger feet so that side of right foot is on floor in front of left foot for a wider base of support. Lift hips so that body forms a straight line from head to toe and squeeze towel between thighs. Hold for 1 count, then lower. Do 10 reps. Switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets. Watch a video of this workoutDownload the workout video to your smartphoneWatch a video demonstration of this exercise

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Round Back
Targets: Rectus and transversus abdominis Sit on a folded towel on floor with shoulder blades against a wall and knees bent, feet flat; make sure back is rounded. Place hands on floor near hips, fingertips pressed into floor. Squeeze abs and lift feet off floor, bring knees toward chest, then straighten legs so toes point toward ceiling. Do 10 pulses: Bring legs 1 inch closer to wall, then move them back 1 inch. Make it easier: Keep left foot on floor and bring extended right leg toward you by grasping right calf with both hands. Hold for 30 seconds; switch legs and repeat. Do 3 sets. Watch a video demonstration of this exercise

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Fly Up
Target: Rectus abdominis Sit on a folded towel on floor, lean back to rest on elbows and place feet together on a wall in front of you so that knees are bent about 90 degrees. Extend legs up, keeping feet against wall, then press rounded lower back into floor and squeeze abs as you lift arms to reach toward feet, elbows soft. Make it harder: Press feet into wall as you reach. Do 20 pulses: Curl torso up 1 inch, then lower 1 inch. Do 3 sets, hugging knees to chest to rest between sets. Watch a video demonstration of this exercise

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Pelvic Scoop
Targets: Lower back, rectus and transversus abdominis, obliques, and butt Lie faceup on floor with back resting on folded towel, knees bent and feet flat on floor, arms by sides. Cross right ankle onto left thigh just above knee so bent right knee points out to side; flex left foot so only heel rests on floor. Rounding lower back and squeezing abs, lift hips off floor so pelvis tilts up toward ribs. Curl pelvis as far as you can without arching back; pull abs in to lift rather than press through left heel. Lower to floor. Do 10 reps, holding the lift for 10 seconds on the final one. Switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets. Watch a video demonstration of this exercise

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C-Curve
Targets: Rectus and transversus abdominis, quads, inner thighs, and calves

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Stand facing a wall with legs together, squeezing rolled-up towel between thighs. With knees slightly bent, hinge forward at hips to place palms on wall, arms extended, so that back is nearly parallel to floor. Squeeze abs and towel as you rise onto toes, then do 20 pulses: Lower hips 1 inch, then raise them 1 inch. Make it harder: Start with knees bent 90 degrees so that hips are closer to knee level, then pulse. Do 3 sets. Watch a video demonstration of this exercise

Flat Back
Targets: Rectus and transversus abdominis Sit on floor with lower back against a wall, knees slightly bent and feet planted wider than shoulder-width apart. Place hands on floor between legs and squeeze abs. Press into floor with fingertips and lift feet about 6 inches. Make it easier: Lift and lower left foot; then repeat with right to complete 1 rep. Do 3 sets of 20 reps. Watch a video demonstration of this exercise

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Twisted Curl
Targets: Rectus and transversus abdominis and obliques

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Sit on a folded towel on floor with knees bent and feet flat on floor, then lean back to rest on elbows. Press rounded lower back into floor, squeeze abs and curl torso up toward left, lifting arms so that both hands grasp outside of left thigh. Maintaining curl, release hands so that both hover to outside of thigh and do 20 pulses: Curl torso up toward left by 1 inch, then lower 1 inch. Make it easier: Keep hands on thigh for pulses. Make it harder: Raise arms overhead for pulses. Switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets. Originally published in FITNESS magazine, April 2011. Watch a video demonstration of this exercise Copyright 2011 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

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