Ready to whittle your middle without suffering through crunches? This ten-minute workout will help you slim and strengthen your core without hitting the floor.
High knee twist
This exercise combines two moves to get in some cardio and core work. Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms extended above your head and abs engaged. Twist your waist, bend your arms and lower your elbow as you lift your left knee. Bring your right elbow to your left knee, return to starting position and repeat on the opposite side.
Dumbbell side bend
Grab your dumbbells and stand with feet hip-width apart and arms fully extended along your sides. Bend from your waist to lower the right dumbbell toward the outside of your right angle. Slowly return to standing and repeat for 10 reps then repeat on the opposite side.
Alternate side bend and lift
Stand with feet a bit wider than hip distance apart. Grasp your weight or medicine ball and hold it above your head with arms fully extended. Bend from your waist and bend your knees to lower the ball or weight to the outside of your left foot. Tuck in your abs and lift the ball back over your head. Repeat on the opposite side.
Core stabilizer
Stand with feet hip-width apart. Grasp with both hands and fully extend your arms to hold your weight in front of your chest. Shift your torso and slowly turn to the right – hold. Shift your torso slowly to the left. Complete 10 reps.
Rockette Kicks
Stand with feet hip-width apart and arms fully extended in front of you. Lift and kick your leg high aiming your foot toward your extended hands. Return to starting position and repeat for ten reps. Repeat on the opposite side.
A few things to remember…
Monitor your form as you move through each exercise. Keep your abs engaged and avoid rounding your back. Complete as many rounds of these 5 exercises as you can in ten minutes, allowing a 30-second break between each exercise. Don’t forget to add weight training to your regular fitness routine. More muscle equals higher metabolism and less fat for a leaner physique. Finally, perform these exercise two or three times each week. You should begin to see a difference in about three weeks (assuming you aren’t using your workout as an excuse to eat extra treats – remember as the saying goes, bodies are made in the kitchen).
