Get those Bikini Abs!

Here is a great workout to help tone up that mid-section to get those abs in tip top shape for swimsuit season!!  Preform each crunch for 15-25 reps depending on your fitness level repeat 2-3 times again depending on your fitness level.

1. Side Plank- You can do this exercise on your toes or bend knees to 90 degrees and keep hip off ground.  Hold for 20-30 seconds.

2. Criss-Cross Crunches- Not to be confused with a bicycle.  Lift up using your shoulders to get to your knees not your elbow.  That will intensify the stretch in the abdominals and give you more of a burn.

3. Heel-to-toe crunch- Lift your shoulders from the floor slowly; keep your eyes on the ceiling as you move. Pause, then slowly return to the start. Repeat for three sets of 15 reps; when you are through, reverse the position of your feet and repeat with your opposite arm extended.

4. Supine Leg Crunch- Slowly alternate lifting one leg until it points towards the ceiling, then the other. (Lifting each leg once counts as a single rep.) Remember to breathe and keep your shoulders lifted from the mat throughout your set.

5. Double Crunch- Lie on your back with your knees bent to 90 degrees and calves raised parallel to the floor. Contract your abs to lift your upper back from the floor; at the same time, raise your hips from the floor to direct your knees towards your chest. Slowly lower and repeat.

6. Plank- I like to end my workouts with a plank hold.  30 seconds to 1 minute.  To modify you can always do it on your knees. 

*To make it advanced you can pulse your leg up and down 15 seconds each leg.

Summer Fun

As I have been hearing from many of my friends they are very concerned with the upcoming summer months.  Summer is just around the corner and they do not feel ready for swimsuit season.  As a fitness professional I know you need to stay in shape or be within at least 5-10lbs of your goal weight before Memorial Day weekend (the unofficial start to summer).  I now will help train my friends both mentally (because they really are ready for bikini season, they just need some confidence) and physically since that is what they feel they need.  So ask yourself are you mentally not ready for the dreaded swimsuit season or are you truly physically not ready.  If it really is your not physically ready the first thing you need to do is watch your sugar intake!  Sugar is what contributes to that dreaded belly fat so tighten up your diet and you will notice your pants loosening up!  Before you know it you will mentally and physically be reading for summer!