Get rid of your muffin top
1. Plank This isolation exercise targets your internal abdominals, called the transverse abs. These muscles are the deepest muscles that act as a girdle that holds everything together. Start by getting into a pushup position, but bend your elbows and rest your weight on your forearms instead of on your hands. Your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Brace your core by contracting your abs as if you were about to be punched in the gut. Hold for 30 seconds. As the exercise becomes easier over time, increase the duration of your hold by intervals of 15 seconds, eventually working up to 3 minutes.
2. Side Plank The side plank is another isolation and balance exercise that targets your core, hips, and back—muscles that play a large role in smoothing out love handles, says Paris. Start by lying on your side with your knees straight and feet stacked. Prop up your upper body on your left elbow and forearm, then raise your hips until your body forms a straight line from the ankles to the shoulders. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side. As the exercise becomes easier over time, increase the duration of your hold by intervals of 15 seconds, working up to 3 minutes and possibly move onto resting body on your hand versus elbow.
3. Scissor Kicks Working your obliques not only defines your waistline, it also improves posture which can help decrease back pain. Start by lying on your back with feet 6 inches off the ground and your hands by your sides. Pull your navel in toward your spine to eliminate the arch in your back. Keeping both feet off the ground and your legs straight, alternate kicking your feet toward the ceiling. Kick with your right leg, then your left leg. That’s 1 rep. Repeat for 10 to 15 repetitions.
4. Vacuum Exercise The transverse abdominals are the most important muscles to target when you’re trying to flatten your belly. They’re hard to reach—but this do-anywhere move hits ’em. Start on all fours with your spine relaxed and inhale deeply. While you exhale, pull your navel toward
your spine and hold for 12 seconds. That’s 1 rep. Repeat for 12 repetitions5. Opposite Arm and Leg Raise Start on all fours. Then simultaneously lift your right arm straight in front of you and left leg behind you, creating a straight line between your fingertips and heel. Hold for a breath and return to start. Repeat the move, this time using your left arm and right leg. That’s one rep. Complete 20 repetitions.
6. Bicycle Crunch Round out this routine with the bicycle crunch, which targets the rectus abdominals, the hardworking muscles that hold you upright. Start lying on your back. Place your hands behind your head, and lift knees toward your chest so that both your hips and knees are bent 90 degrees. Curl your head and shoulders off the floor while twisting your torso to the left. At the same time, pull your left knee toward your right elbow and extend your right leg so that it’s about a 45-degree angle to the floor. Repeat on the other side by twisting your torso to the right and pulling your right knee toward your left elbow while you extend your left leg. That’s one rep. Complete 15 repetitions.
