Best Exercises For A Flat Tummy

Summer break is fast approaching, and many will want to look good in a bikini or in any swim wear. With that being said, having a flat tummy is one of the ways to look great while swimming or sun bathing. So, let’s say bye-bye to muffin tops and hello to a flat tummy. Here are the best exercises to achieve that flat tummy:

CRUNCHES

Crunchesare pretty simple and do not require much effort. They work on the core of the body, making it the best abdominal workout. Crunches aim towards tightening the stomach muscles. Including
crunches in your daily workout routine will surely allow you the results you seek.

HERE’S HOW TO DO IT:

Lay flat on your back with knees bent and your feet placed flat on the floor. Your hands can be placed behind your head for support then start lifting your back off the floor. Try getting as close as possible to your knees. Return to starting position and repeat several times.

TWIST CRUNCHES

A variation of the simple crunch, this exercise helps to strengthen your central abdomen muscles.

HERE’S HOW TO DO IT: Begin in a simple crunch position with knees bent and the back laying flat on the floor. Next, starting off with the right leg, lift leg so that the right ankle is aligned with left knee. Place hands behind the head for support, then raise your upper body off the floor. As your upper body approaches your raised knee, twist your upper body to the right to match up with the right leg. Return to starting position, switch leg and repeat.

BODY WEIGHT SQUAT

This is a variation of the normal squat. This exercise helps in tightening the lower stomach as well as your buttocks. Body weight squats also help to lessen the chances of muffin tops and promote a firm and toned buttocks. As the name suggests, you will be using your body weight to perform this exercise.

HERE’S HOW TO DO IT: Start off in a standing position with legs’ knee width apart and back bent to a 90 degrees angle. Next, fold arms in an “X” over chest area to provide balance. In this same position, tighten the core and lower body into a squat going as low as possible and hold for 15-30 seconds. Return to starting position and repeat.

WINDSHIELD WIPER

The windshield might actually be a fun exercise for you. It aims to flatten the stomach and slim the waistline by working on upper and lower abdominal muscles.

HERE’S HOW TO DO IT: Lay flat on your back with legs outstretched and heels placed flat on the floor. Arms should be stretched out on either side of the body to provide support; the body should look like a cross in this position. Raise legs, your toes should be pointing to the ceiling. With the support of your outstretched arms, tighten your core and move legs left to right without touching the floor. Return to starting position to recover and repeat the exercise.

SWIMMING

Swimmingis leisure for most persons but for some, it is a fitness routine. Swimming is a full-body workout helping to strengthen the legs and the arms. It also works on the abdominal area to tighten the core muscles in your central, upper and lower abdomen. Try swimming 5-10 laps the next time you have a pool available.

HERE’S HOW TO DO IT: Enter the pool. The normal flutter kick style would be the best option if you’re a beginner. First, you can use the walls of the pool to get a good start. Your legs will be moving in a scissor like manner to tread the water making you stay afloat. Your arms will be going in a circular motion, moving from your sides to over your head helping to guide your movements in the water.

LEG DROP

This is similar to the windshield wiper’s exercise. It aims directly to strengthen your core muscles. The leg drop exercise is better done with a partner as they can help with supporting your weight, especially if you’re a beginner. It also helps to strengthen the lower-back muscles, trimming down waist fat and muffin tops.

HERE’S HOW TO DO IT:

(With Partner) Your partner should be standing over you while you lay flat on your back with your head between your partner’s legs. Hold onto your partner’s ankles for support, tighten your core and lift your legs off the floor bringing them to your partner’s outstretched hands. Your partner will push your legs back to the floor, and you should stop them before they come in contact with the floor.

(Without Partner) Lay flat on the floor with feet outstretched. Place hands under lower back for support and balance, tighten your core and raise feet off the floor. Bring back legs to starting point avoiding contact with the floor. Rest and do as many as possible.

These simple core exercises are the best for achieving a flat tummy, reducing muffin tops and waist size. So , the next time, you’re at the gym or even at home, include these exercises in your workout regime for excellent results.