If your goal is to leave some of your mid-section behind, we applaud you! It really is one of the best things you can do for your health. Can you really get fab abs this year? If by fab you mean a stomach that’s tighter, more toned, flatter and slimmer — yes you can.
Start easy with ab exercises, which can leave you in a world of hurt if you do too many too soon. Over time, you’ll want to aim for 15-20 repetitions for most of these, with 3-5 sets.
Crunch. The ab exercise that all other ab exercises are measured against is the simple crunch. To perform the tried-and-true crunch, lie on your back, knees bent, feet on floor, hands supporting your neck, and slowly crunch up enough to get your shoulders off the floor. Want to make them tougher? Lift your feet in the air, knees at 90 degrees, and pull knees to chest as you crunch up.
The plank. There are a couple ways to perform the plank. For the American Council on Exercise’s version, lay belly-down on the floor, resting your upper body on forearms that are flat against the floor. Without arching your back, slowly lift your torso from the ground. Hold the position for five seconds, then lower yourself back to your starting position.
Bicycle maneuver. To do the bicycle maneuver, start prone on the floor, lower back pressed to the ground, hands under your neck. Bring your knees up to about 45 degrees and slowly pedal. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee. Keep your breathing relaxed.
Captain’s chair. Sitting in a chair, press your back against the chair’s back. Stabilize yourself by holding the chair’s handrests, then slowly lift your knees toward your chest, then return them to the starting position, keeping the motion controlled and deliberate through the whole exercise.