It is not required for everyone to have a gym membership just to have a healthy and fit body. Having the discipline and the will to go for an ideal weight that is sustainable for a certain lifestyle is more important. What also counts more is to know what workouts to practice to maintain a toned and flat stomach. In this article, we will guide you in four home workouts you can do to achieve this.
- Planks
You can start with a traditional plank or a side plank. Either way, you will get to the flat and toned abs you want to have. To do the traditional plank, face down and lie on the floor while extending your legs in a push up position. Your forearms should be strong enough to prop your entire body. Feel the weight of your upper body and slowly lift your torso and legs so that only your forearms and the balls of your feet touch the floor. Remember not to let your tummy area sag down. This can be done by contracting your abdominal muscles. Hold for 10 seconds and continue the repetition until a minute.
If you think you have mastered the traditional plank and are ready to go to the next level, try the side plank. This is more challenging since only your sides will be supporting your body weight. You will get your core more stabilized with this exercise. Brace your abs and prepare to lie on either your left or your right side with the elbow directly beneath your shoulder and legs stacked. Stay up as long as you can and perform the same in the opposite side.
- The Vacuum
The vacuum may be an easier choice for beginners in workouts. This is done by kneeling on the ground with your body weight resting only on your hands and knees. It is important to keep your back flight and maintain the posture for a minute. Don’t forget to breathe in and push your belly out then breathe out and tuck your stomach in.
- Standing Oblique Crunch
Some articles say that crunching to achieve a flat stomach is a myth. Doing crunches only may not be beneficial to gain a really great result. However, when done with other workouts to enhance the abs, this can also be much helpful.
In this exercise, it is advisable that you use dumbbells and not only your body weight for that added difficulty. Start by standing with feet wide apart with one of your hands holding a three or five-pound dumbbell. If you use your left hand, stretch that left hand up and go to the right direction. You should be able to feel a stretch to your oblique.
Do this three times a week in a month’s time and you will be able to see good results. By then, you might not be convinced to go through liposuction in the Philippines because the standing oblique crunch has managed to curb your fats in the abs area.
- Squat Sweep
Squats are great to tone your leg muscles but it is also a great workout for a super flat stomach. Again, with the use of the three or five-pound dumbbell between your hands, stand with feet wide apart. Make sure that your knees are pointing forward, then sit down into a perfect squat while bringing the weight down to your right hip—and then the left. The key here is to sweep the weight across your body in a squat position. Do at least 15 repetitions on each side.
Conclusion
By incorporating these four workouts as part of your regular routine, you can tighten your tummy and strengthen your abs and core. You can also research for more workout plans you can do at home and combine these moves with a healthy low-calorie diet. Find inspiration everywhere you go and track the results in a journal or with a buddy.
Author Bio: Ianna Reign Stevenson is a professional writer based in London, England. She is a young mother of a three year old toddler and a physical therapist by profession. Connect with her on Twitter.
