Women's Health & Fitness

Workouts - ARTICLE

The secret to a sensational stomach

The ultimate ab-blaster workout with BodyBlitz Grand Champion Penny Mackinnon.

FIT BALL LEG RAISES

Lie on your back on the floor with your palms facing downwards at your sides. Grasp a fit ball between your ankles and slowly bring the ball up until your legs are approximately 60 degrees with the floor. Slowly return to the start position, ensuring that the ball does not make contact with the floor. Repeat 15 times.

HIP LIFTS

Lie on your back on the floor with your arms alongside you, and your thighs vertical at 90 degrees to your body. Inhale and lift your buttocks off the floor by trying to lift your feet as high as possible. Return slowly while exhaling to the initial position and begin again. Repeat 15 times.

V-LIFTS

Lie flat on the floor, facing the ceiling with your arms stretched out behind your head and your thumbs touching. Slowly bring your legs and arms off the floor together, touching your legs just below the knees. At this point, your legs should be at approximately 45 degrees to the floor. Slowly return to the start position, ensuring that your feet do not touch the floor. Repeat 15 times.

TOE TOUCHES

Begin, by lying on the floor with your arms and legs straight up at 90 degrees to your body. Slowly curl your torso up and forward, raising your hands as close to your toes as possible. Contract your stomach muscles, then reverse the direction and return to the start position. Repeat 15 times.

TWIST CRUNCHES

Lie on your back with your legs up and knees bent at right angles. Put your hands on your ears and keep your elbows out. Raise your right arm and shoulder up and across the body, and as you do, bring your left knee to meet your elbow. Return to the start and repeat on the other side. Aim for 15 repetitions on each side.

FIT BALL ABDOMINAL CURLS

Begin on the floor, resting on your hands and knees. Manoeuvre your body so that your calves are resting on a fit ball and your legs are fully stretched. Pull the ball towards your chest by slowly bending your knees, then slowly return to the start position by straightening your legs. Repeat 15 times.