How to Add Five Minutes of Ab Work into Your Routine

This is a simple and effective way at the end of your workout to use cardio and ab strength to tighten up your belly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A mat
• A clock or stop watch

1. Assume the plank position either on your hands with your arms straight or on your forearms, sucking your belly in. Hold for 30 seconds.
2. Flip over to your back and bring your legs to table top and your hands behind your head with your elbows out to the side. Curl your chin to your chest and suck your belly in.
3. Use your abs to bring your right elbow to your left knee and then your left elbow to your right knee: the bicycle crunch. Do as many as you can for 30 seconds.
4. Bring your legs straight into the air and reach for your toes with your finger tips in pulses: inverted toe touches. Make sure your chin is curled to your chest to protect your neck. Perform as many as you can for 30 seconds.
5. Rest for 30 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 two more times.

Tips & Warnings

• Sucking your belly in while your exercise is the best way to engage the deep abdominal muscles.
• Don't forget to breathe.