Don’t rely solely on crunches to keep your waistline trim this summer. Instead, engage your entire core for a flatter stomach, fast. Spice up your workout with these fun, dynamic standing moves that sculpt abs, butt, and thighs simultaneously!
Reverse lunge with a core twist
1 You'll need a weighted ball or dumbbell for this exercise.
2 Hold the ball or dumbbell in front of you. Bring your right leg back into a lunge. Then, rotate your torso to the right, keeping your abs tight.
3 Rotate back to the center.
Stand with your feet hip width apart. Hold a weighted ball or dumbbell in front of your chest. I like to use 5-10lbs. Bring your right leg back into a lunge, bending both knees to almost 90 degrees. Then rotate your torso to the right. Keep your abdominals tight and squeezed, using your core muscles (abs, low back and butt) for stability and balance. Rotate back to the center and come to standing position. Complete 20 reps on the right side and then switch to the left and do the same.
Standing oblique cross-over crunch
1 Hold up the dumbbells with your elbows at a 90-degree angle (upper arms parallel to the floor). Step your right leg back, squeezing your right glutes.
2 Use your left leg to stabilize you while bringing up your right knee to meet your left elbow.
Stand with your feet hip width apart, holding light weights of around 2 or 3 lbs. in each hand. Bend forward slightly at the hips, and with your abdominals tight, inhale as you take both arms up. Keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle, with palms facing out. While holding the dumbbells up, take your right leg back and squeeze your right glutes. Use your left leg as your stabilizer and slowly bring your right knee up to meet your left elbow just in front of your mid section. Do 20 reps. Then switch to the other side.
Mary Tedesco is personal trainer to Martha Stewart and owner of Body Fit Personal Training in Cross River, New York. Please visit her website at MaryTedescoFitness.com.
From: 5 Minutes to a Slimmer, Sexy Summer Waist (No Crunches Required!) | Fitness Daily Info | 6/3/11 at 10:41 am
[...] Whole Living Daily : Whole Living » Fitness Fitness Training [...]