Tummy-tightening Exercises You Can Do in 10 Minutes, Trainer Says
Want sculpted abdominal lines and a svelte physique? It's summer, and I'm right there with you. As a trainer, I know how important having a tight, toned tummy is to my clients—both physically and mentally. Physically, your abdominals are essential for everything you do, like walking, sitting, bending, standing, reaching, and lifting. Mentally, it gives you an air of confidence to feel your best and wear what you want without hesitation. This is why I've put together the most effective ab movements that will leave your core shaking, your body dripping, and your mind filled with those feel-good endorphins. The best part? These tummy-tightening exercises can be done in just 10 minutes anytime, anywhere with no props necessary.
Read on to learn more about how to do these tummy-tightening exercises, and let's do this! And next up, don't miss The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.
V Sit-Up
Start your V Sit-Ups by laying down on your back and extending your legs out in front of you into a "V" shape with your arms over your head. Inhale, and slowly lift your upper body off the floor; as your shoulders stack over your hips, reach your arms to the sky to open up your chest. Then, reach forward, activate the core, and tap your toes with your hands. You will feel a nice hamstring stretch, too. Exhale, and slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position, making sure to use your core and not momentum. Complete 15 reps.
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Sprinters
Now it's time to perform Sprinters. Lay down on your back with your arms extended over your head and your legs extended out in front of you. Inhale, and as you lift your arms and upper body up, pull your right knee into your chest, sending your arms alongside your knee. Exhale, and slowly lower back down. Alternate legs as you continue, and ensure you're activating your core by pulling your chest towards your knee while you lift up. Perform 20 reps.
Crunch + Leg Extension
This time, start with your hands behind your head and your elbows out wide on your back. Bring your legs into a tabletop position. Inhale, crunch your elbows to tap your knees, and then keep your shoulder blades lifted, extending your legs out to a 45-degree angle. Exhale, and pull your legs back in for the next crunch. Focus on lifting those shoulder blades up a little higher each time you crunch in and pulling your abs in as you extend your legs out. Do 15 reps.
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Leg Raise with Pulse
For this move, lay on your back with your hands underneath your butt, and bring your legs directly above your hips so they're straight in the air. First, inhale and pulse your legs up to the ceiling to engage your lower abdominals, then slowly lower them down to about 1 inch off of the mat or floor. Continuing to keep your legs as straight as possible, exhale and lift your legs back up above your hips. The key here is to embrace those lower abs rather than using your hip flexors. Complete 15 reps.
Lateral V-Ups
This exercise focuses on your obliques, so you will start laying down on your right side (more on your right glute than your right hip so you're comfortable). Place your right forearm down on the mat, parallel with the top of the mat. Extend your legs out, stack them on top of one another, and bring your left hand over your shoulder. Inhale, and simultaneously lift your legs toward the ceiling as you reach your left hand toward your feet to tap them. Hold that squeeze at the top for just a second, and then exhale to lower down to the starting position. Finish reps on this side, and then repeat on the other side. Perform 10 reps on each side.
Repeat this series two more times for a serious sweat sesh and six-pack in no time.
Want more mini-workouts? Be sure to check out 6-Min Abs—No Equipment and Burn Inner Thigh Fat Fast With This 10-Minute Floor Workout, Trainer Says to stay in shape and totally on top of your fitness game.
