Tag Archives: abs

The Hottest Celebrity Abs and Their Winning Workouts and Diets

Now that summer’s over, it’s time for a recap of this year’s hottest abs. These stars spill the favorite workout and diet tips they live by on a daily basis.

The Workout

We found that a majority of them were doing was some sort of weight resistance training. Why is this such a popular choice? It’s pretty simple actually. The more muscle the body has, the more fat it burns. And I don’t mean JUST during the workout either. After a good and hard weight resistance training session, the body will continue to burn calories hours after the workout is complete. (A great weight resistance exercise that hits the abdominals at the same time is heavy squat lifting.) (more…)

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Danielle

The Flex Belt Not Recommended for Fat Loss, but May Enhance Abs

Something I saw on TV a couple months ago caught my attention. It’s called the Flex Belt. It’s made to tone, strengthen and firm your abdominals. As I watched the commercial, I was thinking it had to be too good to be true, but if I had access to try it out, I totally would. So I did.

The day the Flex Belt came in the mail, I was actually pretty excited (which was surprising due to the lack of faith I had in it). One of the first things I did when I got home was put it on the charger. I read the directions, went through the different programs available, and started my abdominal workout as soon as the magic machine was ready. At the first moment I felt its contractions, I bursted with laughter. I really didn’t know what to think of it. I couldn’t tell if it was tickling me or if I just wasn’t used to it (probably a little of both).

I began experimenting with its different levels and programs. I was actually amazed by the intensity levels it can rise to. The Flex Belt truly was working out my abs! Now, it wasn’t the same type of workout that I would get doing the ab machines at the gym, but I could definitely feel my muscles at work without me having to worry about making sure I put in the effort myself. (more…)

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Danielle

Olympic Swimmer Janet Evans Uses the Flex Belt in Her Workout Routine

The London Olympic Games are quickly approach. Athletes are training their hardest to qualify for the U.S. trials, which begin today for swimming, and that includes four-time Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans. One product she uses to do that is the Flex Belt, an electronic abdominal toning device.

“As an Olympian in swimming, our abs and our core are really important to us, so an ab core workout is something I always do at the end of every workout. But I find that there are some things I traditionally cannot get. I can’t get my obliques really well, I can’t get my upper abs, I can’t get my lower abdominals, so what I find with the Flex Belt is that it really helps me get things that I might not get by getting down on the ground and doing traditional crunches and sit ups,” Evans said in an interview. (more…)

Posted on June 25, 2024 by SarahS

Fit in Five: 5 Off-the-Ground Core Exercises

By Pamela Hernandez

Recently I had a client do bicycle crunches. Her teammate looked at me and said, “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen you ask anyone to do crunches.”

She’s right; crunches are not a big part of my ab repertoire. Much like running isn’t always appropriate, I think crunches are something you have to work up to. Many clients come to me with challenges that make crunches a poor place to start for developing core strength. For some, the act of getting on the ground for core exercises, like planks and cobras, can be off limits initially. I often need off-the-ground core strengthening and stabilizing exercises to help my clients achieve their fitness goals.

Here are my top 5 core exercises that don’t require a mat or getting off your feet.

Wood chops: I like these best with a cable machine but they are just as effective with resistance bands, a medicine ball or a dumbbell. Start high and chop by pulling diagonally across the body. The hips should not flex but instead stay straight and the body tall. (more…)

Posted on May 29, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Saturday Morning Drills: Lose Your Muffin Top

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.

Posted on April 28, 2024 by Tracey

Saturday Morning Drills: Sexy Summer Abs

By Jessica Smith

Don’t waste time doing a bunch of crunches in hopes of flattening your abs for swimsuit season – instead, focus on moves that use your entire body and target your core muscles to stand taller, and create a stronger, more drawn-in center so you can wear that bathing suit with confidence this year! This Sexy Summer Abs Circuit workout, created by Jessica Smith, fitness expert and creator of the “10 Pounds DOWN: Cardio Abs” DVD, can help you work more muscles at once to burn more calories and speed up your results.

Click through to see the seven moves that will help you wear your swimsuit with confidence this summer!

View Sexy Summer Abs Circuit Workout Slideshow

Also Read:

Jessica Smith’s HIIT Workout

7 Warm-Weather Foods with Surprising Health Benefits

Post-Workout Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe

Posted on April 21, 2024 by Health Buzz

Exercise During Your Commute for a Daily Dose of Fitness

The biggest excuse people give for not working out is that there isn’t enough time in their day, and the biggest mistake they make is thinking they need to block out time specifically for a workout. If you can do that, and I am entirely convinced 99 percent of people can, great. Spend an hour in the gym getting your sweat on and cross it off your list. For those that truly can’t, usually because of a crazy work schedule, you aren’t off the hook, you just have to get creative. 

Most people have to commute to work, and whether your commute is an hour each way, or 20 minutes total, that’s a significant amount of time doing relatively nothing. Whether you drive, carpool, or ride the bus or subway, you spend some time each day going to and from your work. And you go to work most days of the week. Viola! The perfect built in time to sneak in some fitness. You multitask all the time on your commute any way by checking emails, Facebook, reading the paper or simply catching a few more Z’s, all of which can be done at a later time. Why not knock out your workout- you know, that thing you don’t have time for?

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Posted on April 9, 2024 by Kelly

Jersey Shore’s JWOWW Shares her Bikini Body Workout Secrets

Spring is here, which means it’s time to get in bikini shape now. No one knows that better than the cast of the Jersey Shore, who spend their summers on national TV in skimpy outfits.

While Snooki is making room for her expanding baby bump, Jenny “JWOWW” Farley has been sporting a more fit and toned body recently, which she credits to spending quality time in the gym with her juice head gorilla boyfriend, Roger. Wanna know how she does it? Here is her beach body workout she swears by, with just 3 exercises for every body part.

For flat abs that rival The Situation‘s, try:

1. The Bicycle Crunch
2. The Vertical Leg Crunch
3. The Exercise-ball Crunch

Firm up your arms with these three tricep exercises:

1. Triceps kickback
2. One-arm Triceps Push-ups
3. Skull Crushers

(more…)

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Kelly

Saturday Morning Drills: Get a Strong Core Fast

Having a strong core is more important than you realize!

Your core includes your abs, upper legs and back. The main muscles are the obliques, abdominals, lower back and the gluteus. Having strong core muscles will help with more than giving you sizzling-looking abs.  They are responsible for your posture and movement. Here is a list of some other benefits:

  • It will prevent lower back pain and injury. Most lower back injuries are from weak core muscles.
  • It will help improve your overall physical performance. So the stronger these babies are the easier everything else will be.
  • Improves balance
  • Helps you maintain your independence later in life.

I have included some simple and VERY effective exercises that you can do in less than 15 minutes right in your living room! (more…)

Posted on March 24, 2024 by Kristina

5 Must Do Yoga Poses to Get in Shape for Spring

More sunlight in the evening means the days are getting warmer and your pants are getting shorter. Spring is right around the corner, and soon we will reunite with our scant summer clothes whether we like it or not.

If you have been hiding your unused arms and legs under layers of bulky winter clothes, breaking out the tank tops and bikini bottoms will feel like a shock to your system. To give your muscles a much-needed wake up call, the following five yoga poses are a must for springing into action and shedding excess layers of all kinds.

Plank

An overall great pose to sculpt your shoulders and triceps and firm up your core, plank pose works wonders to whip your body into shape for spring. Build a solid foundation from your feet (or knees) to the palms of your hands by engaging all of the muscles between your hips and your ribs. Take several deep breaths in plank while imaging your spine lengthening and your entire body strengthening. Hold for up to one minute and repeat up to three times throughout the day.

(more…)

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Jill

The Secret to Great Abs is Not What You Think

Personal trainer at the exclusive Reebok Sports Club in NYC, Melissa Paris has your secret to great abs by swimsuit season, but if you are picturing endless amounts of crunches, think again.

Great abs are the hallmark of a well rounded athlete: low body fat, a muscular core and a clean, healthy diet. “It’s a combination of exercise and diet that ultimately fights fat,” says Paris, “so stock up on those fruits, veggies and protein packed snacks.”

“Nutrition is 85% [of results], so if you’re not fueling yourself with lean meats, lots of fruits and veggies, and healthy fats you will not get the abs you desire no matter how many exercises you do,” says Paris.

While great abs are a sign of a clean eater, they are also a sign of an athlete that knows good form- no matter what workout they are doing. While crunches are good for hitting your superficial ab muscles, the exercises that are going to get you great results aren’t traditional ab exercises at all.

(more…)

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Kelly