These moves will work your upper and lower abs, as well as your obliques, to tone your whole tum. Complete 10-15 reps of each exercise and focus on doing each one with a slow and controlled movement, as if you were moving through treacle. Perform the exercises one after the other in a circuit and repeat the circuit two to three times.
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1. Flutter kicks - Begin lying on your back with your arms by your sides, then lift your feet off the floor slightly – this is your starting position
- Slowly raise one leg, then lower it back down to the start while simultaneously lifting the other leg
- If you feel your lower back arching then lift both feet further off the floor at the start position
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2. Crunches - Begin lying on your back with your hips and knees bent to 90 degrees and an exercise ball resting underneath your calves. Place your fingertips lightly against your temples
- Slowly lift your head and shoulders off the floor, maintaining a constant distance between your chin and chest
- Lower slowly to the start and repeat
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3. Knee raises - Begin sitting on the end of a bench, then lean back, placing your hands on the bench for support
- Bring your knees in towards your chest, then straighten your legs straight out in front of you to complete one rep
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4. Squat and press - Begin in a push-up position with your shoulders over your wrists and your lower legs on top of an exercise ball, just below your knees
- Slowly bend your legs to bring your knees towards your chest, rolling the ball down your legs and keeping your hips lifted
- Reverse the movement to return to the start, then repeat
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5. Bicycle crunch - Begin lying on your back with your legs extended and your fingertips resting lightly against the back of your head. Lift both feet off the floor slightly (move them higher if you feel your lower back arching)
- Bring your left knee in towards your chest while simultaneously lifting your head and shoulders off the floor, taking your right elbow towards your left knee
- Reverse the movement to return to the start and then repeat with your other leg and elbow.
