April has hit us and what better time to focus on losing the dreaded Muffin top? Who doesn’t want to get ready to strut your stuff on the beach with confidence?
Here are a couple of my all time favorite exercises that target the obliques by working them against the resistance of your own body weight. Perform these exercises at least 3-4 times a week for best results, but remember you need to combine them with some cardio such as walking, jogging, swimming or cycling to help lose overall body fat.
Muffin Blaster – Side Planks
Start with your elbow bent on the floor with your shoulder and wrist inline with elbow. Your top leg is crossed in front with your hips facing forwards and the arm is extended resting on the hip.
Inhale as you drop the hips toward the floor then exhale and lift the hips back to the start position.
Tips: Keep your weight out of your shoulder by drawing your shoulder blades down towards the hips and focus on lifting the hips with the obliques.
Reps: 1 x 15 reps on each side
Waist Shrinker – Side Twists
Start with your elbow bent on the floor with your shoulder and wrist inline with elbow. Your top leg is crossed in front with your hips facing forwards. The arm is extended overhead in line with the shoulder and the palm is facing forwards.
Exhale as you draw the abs in towards the spine, and reach the arm underneath your supporting arm as you rotate the torso and lift your hips towards the ceiling. Inhale and rotate the body and arm back to start position.
Tips: Rotate your body and lift your hips as high as you can and look under your arm.
Reps: 1 x 10 reps on each side.
Try Tracey’s lower-body workout with this video for Simple Chair Exercises.