The weather is warming up, and for a lot of people, that signifies it’s time to work on that little bulge that has been taking up residency around the middle since Thanksgiving. These respective exercises can help you shed that extra turkey weight and flatten out that stomach soon enough for beach season. As with any exercise routine, be sure to consult a professional person before setting out and always loosen up properly to avoid accidental injury.

Plank
For this stomach exercise, you’ll need to lie on a flat surface, like the floor. You’ll be lying on your stomach, so you may desire to use a mat or towel to cushion your knees. Prop your upper body on your forearms so that your elbows make a 90 degree slant and are placed immediately below your shoulders. Now raise your body up off the floor so that your lower body is supported by your toes, while your upper body continues to be supported by your elbows. Your body should essentially be a direct line, with no arch or sagging through your back. Hold this position for 20 seconds, then lower your body back to the floor. One repetition is sufficient.

Side Plank
This stomach exercise is a variant on the previous one, and begins in the same beginning position. Once you’re positioned properly, roll to your right side, keeping your torso supported with your right forearm. You’ll have to raise your hips and roll your feet so that your left foot gets on top of your right. As in the plank, your body will be a unbent line, but this time you’ll be on one side. Place your left hand on your hip and hold the plank positioning for five seconds. Return to start and duplicate on the left side.

Ball Roll
If you just speedily glanced at the title, you may have gone to find a ball before reading on. If you did, you can go put it away, because in that stomach exercise, you’re the ball! First, sit on the deck and hug your knees to your chest. Roll back somewhat so you’re balancing on your tail bone and your feet are off the floor, toes pointing down. Pull your abdominal muscles inward while rolling onto your lower back and the upper part of your butt. Compress your abs and pull yourself back to the beginning position. Relaxing your arms up may help if you find this drill too hard at first.

Standing Crossover
As the name implies, you’ll need to stand up for this stomach exercise. Place your feet a few inches apart. Put your arms out to the sides and bend your elbows at a 90 degree angle so your fingertips are aiming to the ceiling and your palm are facing ahead. Contract your abs and lift your right knee towards your left elbow, while at the same time bringing your left elbow down toward your right knee. Touch the two joints jointly, pause, then return to start. Switch sides and replicate for an entire set.

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