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Fat Loss: 5 Exercises To Strengthen Your Abs

2 MIN READ • 24th August 2020

Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to fat loss and, like anything, you have to enjoy the process in order for it to be sustainable.

The experts at Total Fitness have put some of their favourite moves together that will help to work all the key muscle groups, and get you in shape.

Carry out each exercise for 45 seconds, then rest for 15 seconds before moving onto the next. Repeat the five-minute circuit as many times as you like.

High Knees

A great way to warm up while targeting your lowers abs is to give yourself a quick blast of cardio in the form of high-knees.

To complete this simple cardio-intensive exercise, start from standing a position and run on the spot as fast as you can, raising each knee so it’s on a 90 degree angle to the floor.

This exercise engages the core and works the leg muscles whilst getting your heart rate up. It’s the perfect festive warm up to keep the pounds off.

The Superman

Strengthen your lower back and abs with the superman pose. Start by lying on your front with arms and legs extended away from you.

Raise your arms and legs off the floor simultaneously and engage your core to lift your chest off the floor a little.

Hold for a few seconds before returning to your start position. For a more advanced exercise, whilst in the hold position, move your limbs in criss-cross motion as though making a snow angel.

Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers, or hill climbers, is a great full body workout that exercises almost every muscle group, whilst getting your heart rate up to burn belly fat.

To perform a hill climber, get into plank position and raise one knee up to your chest at a time, ensuring your back remains straight at all times. Perform the action one leg after the other and as fast as you can.

Ball Slams

The original ball slam is a great way to elevate the heart rate quickly whilst developing core strength, positioning itself as fantastic calorie burner.

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, squat down keeping your back straight, drive the ball upwards with your arms fully extended and the ball overhead, then accelerate downwards back into the squat position slamming the ball into the ground on the way down.

Try and catch the ball on the bounce and keep it fast paced for a great cardio/strength workout.

Plank Dips

Plank dips are a fantastic workout for toning the obliques while also strengthening your core and upper body.

Holding an elbow plank with your core tucked in, rotate your left hip so that it almost touches the mat then do the same on your right side.

Continue this sequence of rotations with a strong plank posture to really target that muffin top and define your waistline.

Ready for the next level? Try this HIIT session by Krissy Cela, and feel the burn!

Meet the writer
Daniella Gray
Senior content writer

Daniella is senior content writer at Health & Wellbeing magazine, which combines her love for writing, food and fitness. Daniella’s love of glossy magazines began when she’d steal copies of her mum’s Marie Claire and buy the latest... Discover more

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