If you’re embarking on a new exercise programme, it can be a daunting prospect. The good news is that you don’t need an expensive gym membership and its very easy to work out at home, even if you have no equipment. Coupled with a waist trainer, you can see those inches shed off your waist with a little bit of sweat and dedication.
Here’s our guide to the best exercises to tone your stomach area:
Side Plank
This one is never going to be a favourite of mine! You need to lay down on your side, with your forearm underneath your shoulder and one foot directly on top of the other. Slowly lift up your hips, so that your body is in a line, making sure that you are not tilting forwards. As you build it up aim for one minute on each side. My top tip is to tense the muscles in your core as this stops you swaying about!
Bicycle Crunches
These have been named as one of the top exercises for toning your stomach area without adding any extra bulk. You need to lay on the floor with your hands behind your head, but without linking your fingers together. Bring your knees up to a ninety degree angle to the floor. Bring one knee towards you chest, whilst lifting the opposite elbow up, imagine that you are trying to touch your knee and elbow together.Hold the position for a count of three.
Release back to your starting position slowly, and repeat with the other knee and elbow. It’s important that you don’t pull on your neck or head with your hands. Aim for 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.
Knee lifts
You will need to sit on a slight step or bench with your feet positioned flat on the floor and both hands behind you for support (as you’ll be leaning back slightly). Slowly bring your knees up towards your chest, trying not to lean forwards. Then lower and straighten your legs so that they reach straight out in front of you. Without touching your feet on the floor, bring your knees upwards again and then return your feet to the floor. Aim for 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.
Toe reaches
You should lay on your back with your head flat on the floor and your legs raised in the air at a right angle (imagine it that you were sitting up and have fallen backwards). With straight arms reach towards your toes, aiming for as many short pulsed repetitions as you can. Work towards a set of 100 as you build up your fitness. When you have can do 100 reps in this position, you can increase the difficulty by lowering your legs nearer and nearer to the ground for each pulse.
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