5 OF MY FAVOURITE TUMMY FLATTENING WORKOUTS FOR SUMMER!

The hardest area of my body to keep in shape all year round is the stomach. Here are a few exercise tips that can be done in the comfort of your own home anytime without the use of heavy machinery and such.

1. EXERCISE BALL CRUNCHES

STEP 1 - Sit on the ball and place your hands on the back of your head and walk your legs out lowering your body on to the ball until your upper back and shoulders are all that remain on top of the ball. Legs should be shoulder width apart.

STEP 2 - Lift your pelvic to straighten your lower back and tighten your buttocks and contract the abdomen muscles.

STEP 3 - Keeping your elbows pointing out to the side slowly raise the shoulders slightly being careful not to pull the neck. You should feel the crunch in the abdominals; the thighs and buttock muscles will be working too.

Step 4 - Hold the position for a moment then slowly lower the shoulders to the ball and repeat for as many times as you can perform the exercise without straining.

Rest for 30 seconds or less between sets. Do 2 or 3 sets of 12 to 15 repetitions every other day.

2. FLOOR LEG LIFTS

STEP 1 - Lie flat on the floor with your legs straight, hands to your sides or under your buttocks

STEP 2 - Lift your legs about 6 - 10 inches off the floor and hold for a few seconds

STEP 3 - Hold the position for as long as you can without straining your neck or arching your lower spine.

Repeat as many times as you can. While performing the exercises keep your abdominal muscles contracted and your lower back flat on the floor.

3. REVERSE CRUNCH

STEP 1 - Lie on your back on the floor with your hands behind your head or on the floor by your hips, with your knees bent and your feet lifted 6 inches above the ground.

STEP 2 - Slowly bring your knees toward your chest and lift your butt off the ground. Concentrate on contracting your abs, you should feel your lower abs working after a few repetitions.

STEP 3 - Slowly lower your legs to the starting position, 6 inches of the floor.

Repeat 15-30 times. Breathe out on the way up, in on the way down. Rest a few minutes and do another set. Try to do 3-4 sets.

4. V CRUNCHES

STEP 1 - Using a chair, sit on the edge of the seat with your arms straight down to the side and holding the seat. Keeping the back straight, lean the body back so it is at a 45 degree angle (like the first line of a ‘V’)

STEP 2 - Contract the abdomen muscles and lift the legs up toward the chest to make the knees form the second line of the V.

This abs exercise works the lower abs. Keep your back straight with no arching of your lower back when lifting the legs.

5. OBLIQUE CRUNCH

STEP 1 - Lie on your back, knees bent, so your left foot is resting flat on the floor. With your right knee bent, place your right foot across your left knee.


STEP 2 - Place your left hand at the side of your head and your right hand on the left side of your abdominals or on the floor next to your thigh.

STEP 3 - Curl your body up with a twisting movement, bringing your left shoulder toward your right knee. Slowly lower your body to the ground.

Repeat 15-30 times. Breathe out on the way up, in on the way down. Rest a few minutes and do another set. Try to do 3-4 sets.