Four steps to fab honeymoon abs
Flattening your tummy will get you looking great in those honeymoon bikini shots as well as on the big day itself. Here’s the only four moves you’ll ever need!
Follow these expert moves from the experts at Zest and you'll be looking fabulous for big day and honeymoon!
MOVE 1: Prone Core trainer – for a strong core
- Do this exercise side-on to a mirror so you can check your posture.
- Kneel on all fours, with your hands in line with your shoulders, knees slightly behind your hips.
- Bend your elbows, keeping them tucked tight in, so that your back becomes level with the floor and your spine is in a neutral position (see pic).
- Take a breath and engage your core muscles – pull up between your pubic bone and tail bone as you would if stopping weeing mid flow.
- Keeping your back braced and tops of your feet on the floor, lift your knees 1 cm off the ground, raising your tail bone towards the ceiling.
- Hold for a count of 10, rest and repeat x 4.
MOVE 2: Single leg lengthener – works your lower abs
- Lie on your back, legs bent, and feet flat on the floor. Allow the small of your back to curve slightly off the floor.
- Take a breath and engage your core muscles.
- Now press the small of your back into the floor and lift your right, then left foot off the floor.
- Keeping your tummy pulled in and the small of your back on the floor, take another breath and extend your right leg out in front of you, resting your left foot back on the floor.
- Bring your right leg back in and alternate with your left, resting your non-extended foot on the floor each time.
- Repeat 6 – 10 times on each leg.
MOVE 3: Abdominal curl on a ball - works your upper abs
- Use a Swiss ball big enough that your knees are at right angles when seated.
- Roll down carefully onto the ball so that the middle of your back is on the ball and your head, neck and shoulders are over the edge.
- Support your neck with your hands, chin away from your chest
- Lift your hips up so they are in line with your thighs and squeeze your backside.
- Lower your head, neck and shoulders gently downward over the edge of the ball.
- Take a breath out and engage your core.
- Lift your head, neck and shoulders, keeping your head back and focusing on drawing your ribcage towards your belly button.
- Squeeze and hold this position, then slowly lower.
- Repeat 10 – 20 times
MOVE 4: Oblique Twist on a ball - whittles your waist
- Lie on your back on the floor, legs raised and backs of your calves resting on a Swiss ball, arms by your sides, and spine neutral.
- Take a breath, engage your core and slowly rotate the ball to your left, bringing both legs towards the floor until your left knee is almost touching the mat. Maintain control throughout.
- Take another breath and return to the centre.
- As you lift back, draw your stomach in tight. You should feel the muscles at the side of your stomach resisting.
- Repeat to the right and continue to repeat 6 -12 times each side.
For best results do these exercises at least 2 – 3 times week with at least one day of complete rest.
If wedding planning’s left you with no time to hit the gym, simply shift your workout to your...
