Ten Moves To Tighten The Tummy

Posted: July 27, 2011 at 4:00 pm

Look what we have here! Another post cataloging some of my favorite exercises for different body parts. In this post, I will focus on that area we all want to work efficiently. The abs! The traditional plank will always reign supreme as my top tummy tigthener and core stengthener, but you will regularly find me completing the following ten moves for my abdominals as well. Enjoy!

Stability Ball Roll-Outs

P1140765 P1140766

Kneel with a stability ball in front of you. Place your hands on the ball. Slowly roll your hands, then arms along the ball while keeping your back straight. Flow through the motion until you are extended like in the second photo above. Using control, return to start.

Stability Ball Roll-Ins

P1140767 P1140768

Place your feet/shins on a stability ball with your upper body in a straight arm plank position. Using your abs, pull your knees into your chest while your legs roll along the ball. Slowly return to start.

Medicine Ball Oblique Twists

P1140770

Sit with your knees bent and lean back slightly while holding a medicine ball. Draw your belly button in and twist from side to side tapping your elbow down to the floor. Go from side to side, while keeping the movement controlled.

V-Crunch

P1140773P1140772

Begin with your body in a “V” – legs out straight, arms extended overhead, and belly pulled in. Slowly bring everything in to the middle while rising up into a seated position. Return to start and repeat for reps.

Standard Bicycle Crunch

P1140774

I don’t know why, but I love these and they never fail to get me. Twist your upper body so your elbow/shoulder are reaching toward the opposite knee. Using control, switch sides.

Oblique V Crunch

P1140777P1140776

Similar to the V-Crunch above, but done with a focus on the oblique by completing the motion while sitting on the side, meaty portion of the derriere. Side note: I think that is the first time I have ever typed derriere on my blog. It was fun.

Spiderman Planks

P1140778 P1140779

These HURT! Start in a straight arm plank and hold for 10-15 seconds. Then complete 10-15 reps on one side by bringing your knee up towards your chest. Hold the standard plank another 10-15 seconds and finish with 10-15 reps on the opposite side. OUCH!

Boat Pose

P1140781

Hang out in this position as long as you can stand it. If you last longer than 45 seconds, you beat me! Be sure to keep your abs tight and your lower back supported. And I just noticed – check out the seriousness on my face. Ha!

Bosu Cross Punch

P1140784 P1140785

I stole this idea from the Physique 57 workout DVD I received awhile ago. The unsteady surface, extended leg, and the crossing motion work it all, folks! It’s a good burn.

Decline Bench Crunch

P1140788 P1140789

Yet another that I love for some odd reason. I just feel it so much more than a standard crunch. I love using the decline bench for hip lifts too. Such a challenge!

More Fitness Posts of Interest:

As always, focus on training for strength, health, and function over appearance. A defined stomach is nice, but the core strength is what we really need. And don’t forget that I’m not a certified trainer, so please use any of the above information at your own discretion.

What is your favorite way to train your core? Any abs moves you hate?

Tags: , ,

 
58 Comments to “Ten Moves To Tighten The Tummy”
  1. I need to get a BOSU for at home!

  2. Alicia says:

    great post! can’t wait to use these 🙂

  3. Oooo I’m definitely going to be trying some of these! I love the stability ball ones…those always hurt so good ;). You could also do some v-ups with a medicine ball…those are killer! You look so toned and great in all those pics!

  4. Cindy says:

    Just want to comment on how young you look in these pictures. 🙂 Great job and keep up the hard work.

  5. Anna says:

    Pilates,pilates and more pilates! That has strengthened my core up so much!

    Recently my friends and I have started doing the Jackie Warner Abs DVD and it is amazing! We pop in the DVD at the gym and work out to it. It hurts so much but it has given me six pack definition that I never thought possible.

  6. I love the stability ball roll ins! I’ve been calling them prone jackknives because that’s what nrolfw calls it in stage 1 of the workouts. It’s fun and it’s a great way to strengthen your core. Thanks for the list of other ones, there are definitely a few I haven’t tried before.

  7. cheryl says:

    I’ve been doing deep core stuff to address a back issue but my body seems determined to obscure muscle in that area with…ummm…non-muscle. There at even my lowest weight (when losing wouldn’t have been good) so I’m learning to “accept the pooch” 😛

    That said, I CAN see my obliques. Well, okay, only first thing in the AM (and after a healthy day), but that’s good for me. My BF turned me on to these….I call them Tick-Tocs in my head but this random site calls them dumbell side dips: http://www.fitness-training-at-home.com/oblique-exercises.html#dumbbell-side-dips. I prefer using a kettleball though.

  8. I love all of these moves! Some of them I haven’t tried though. Generally I do pushups, planks and oblique twists (with a weight) to work my core.

  9. jobo says:

    These are great, Tina! I love-to-hate planks but I HATE ball roll ups (toes out on the ball, roll up to your hips)…cannot do them for the life of me! Anything that targets my lower abs, I am all for, though.

  10. Lisa says:

    Those oblique side crunches are a killer! I hate those, but they work so well!

  11. Sam says:

    looking good, girl! love all these moves. i’m with you, can’t beat the plank 🙂 it just hurts so good!

  12. V Crunches are a fav of mine, and some times I add V Up which are harder!

    • Tina says:

      V-ups always make me think of SOS days. LOL

      Although I remember they called it something cutesy like starbursts or something. Suckers still killed though.

  13. Tiffany says:

    I love bicycle crunches for some reason too and planks. I hate normal crunches though. I never know if I’m coming up high enough, mirror or not.

  14. these are great! I do all of these at my gym or at home 🙂 I actually really hate the plank. I lovee any stability ball moves though!

  15. I love these posts!!

    Bicycle crunches kill me. Theyre SO hard – and yet I love them. 🙂

  16. My abs are the hardest place on my body to tone, but I’ve been trying to give them some extra attention lately! I love medicine ball twists…they’re quick but you can really feel the burn!

  17. Maren says:

    I love crunches! These are really good moves.

  18. Spiderman planks bring me to tears, so hard! Great ab moves, I’m definitely going to try and incorporate a lot of these into my routine! 🙂

  19. lindsay says:

    i fall over in boat pose every time! my class always laughs at me, haha. At least laughing works the abs too.
    😉

  20. I have a love/hate relationship with ab workouts. They hurt so good!

  21. These ab exercises are great!! I get stuck doing the same ones so it will be nice to have some variety. Gotta admit though, the stability ball roll-ins kill me! I think I just feel very shakey when doing them.

  22. Ela says:

    Thanks for this great compilation: I’ve been looking for more abs things to do. I don’t have all the equipment for all of them, but I can definitely do some of them that are new to me.

    Your body is looking splendidly toned!
    Glad you had fun with the derriere!

  23. oooh! this is just what i need. thanks!!

  24. teresa says:

    Love this one too! I love doing abs and these look like more fun than my crunches!

  25. Wow, those spiderman planks look intense. I do a push-up version of these and they kill me! You rock!

  26. Love all of these! Core is by far my favorite. I could do oblique twists and straight up V-ups all day long. Great post!

  27. Bicycle crunches always get me too! I think my favorite of the ones you showed is the stability ball roll-in–so good (and pretty fun too)!

  28. I like all the moves with the stability balls. I love and hate working my abs at the same time.

  29. Dorry says:

    I’m loving ab exercises lately – maybe not always in the moment, but I like the challenge. My core has gotten a lot stronger through consistent yoga the past several months, and I’d love to buy a stability ball to use at home!

  30. Girl, you are looking DIESEL!

    And my favorite core training move would have to be hanging ab raises OR flipping the bosu over and holding a long armed plank for over a minute. TOTALLY wrecks your shoulders as well!

  31. Crystal says:

    LOVE oblique twists! I use a 5-lb dumbbell. I have found that if I pay attention to my alignment in yoga, then my abs get a great workout. I love working my abs without specifically working my abs. I also love planks.

    And your body looks amazing!

  32. Amy says:

    Thanks for sharing a great abs workout just when I was in the market for one 🙂 I hate planks but I know they work so I just grin and bear it so I can grin and bare it!

  33. I dread ab work. I really need to suck it up and do more ab workouts. I just do not enjoy it!

  34. Boat pose is my favorite! In cheerleading we call that a taco hold (but you raise your arms above your head)…crazy hard on the abs! Ab exercises are my favorite for sure, they hurt like crazy but I love the sore feeling

  35. Great post! 🙂

    I also love the plank and it’s my favorite ab exercise. I almost always incorporate them into all of the classes I teach!

  36. This is a really cool post Tina! I never thought to do an oblique v-crunch! I am going to be printing this off and using it in the near future for my abdominal workout!! Thanks 🙂

  37. Tina-your body is looking killer these days! I can’t wait to see your monthly check-in in a few days, you look so good!

    On another note, I am slowly getting out of a depressive phase where I was eating too much…your blog has been extremely helpful! I still have about 5 pounds to lose but I am finally making peace wiht my body and myself. Thank you for playing a small part!

    • Tina says:

      Actually the check in will be next week since I keep it the first Saturday of the month and this month has 5 Saturdays in it. I’m anxious for the next round of pics too. Especially since I can feel my body has changed, but giving up the scale too. 🙂

  38. Melodie says:

    I am going to give some of these a try… although I have to admit – I am a little leary of the exercise ball. A couple of months ago I bought one and as I was doing the “roll ins”, I rolled OFF and into my spin bike 🙂 I had a HUGE knot and bruise on my calf for weeks!! lol I may be just a tad bit klutzy!!

  39. Laurel says:

    I love doing the stability ball roll-outs (though I think the ab roller is a little more challenging, when I’m in a gym that has one). Can’t wait to try the spiderman planks!

    Glad to find your blog!

  40. I love these posts! Thank you!

  41. Jess says:

    Ouch, my abs hurt just looking at these pictures! Also, spiderman planks hurt so good 🙂

  42. Danica says:

    love this post!! thanks for sharing–core exercises are (for whatever reason) my least favorite to do!

  43. Elaine says:

    Those V crunches are KILLER!!!!

  44. […] 90 Abs- using exercises from Tina’s recent abs post on Faith, Fitness […]

  45. […] Fitness, Fun.  I did an upper body circuit from Carrots ‘N’ Cake and a great ab routine from Faith, Fitness, Fun.  I have really been loving strength training recently, and when I finished these I definitely […]

  46. Leah says:

    These are great moves! You look so good Tina. Keep up the hard work!

  47. […] up being about a 45 minute workout, which was fine by me! I finished up doing another round of that great ab routine I talked about last […]

  48. […] I got home, I completed the ab routine that I have posted a few times lately.  This has become my favorite ab routine, and I recommend […]

Leave a Reply to Its just one of those days… |

(required)

(required)


 

 
Catch Up With Recent Posts

Announcement Time

Posted: November 23, 2011 at 7:47 am

Well, I have had a whirlwind of a few weeks over here. I missed all of you so much! I can’t express enough gratitude for your patience while I got some important things sorted out. Some scary things. Are you ready for the announcement? Here goes! I will no longer be blogging at Faith Fitness […]

88 CommentsRead more →

Self-Love Reflection: The Road Not Taken

Posted: November 20, 2011 at 11:47 am

Hello FFF readers! Nice to meet ya! My name is Carissa and my husband and I blog at Fit2Flex.  Well, I blog…he consults! We are both certified personal trainers with a passion for healthy, active living and clean eating.  I am also studying to become a registered dietitian, a race announcer, and a runner.  Stop […]

24 CommentsRead more →

Healthier Eating For Kids

Posted: November 19, 2011 at 10:56 am

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what’s for dinner? Check out their cute "Quest for Yum!" video and see what happens! As parents, we want the best for our children. We help them to feel loved. We strive to teach them […]

14 CommentsRead more →
 

Announcement

Posted: November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Hey, everyone! I wanted to pop in and say I am working on some new and exciting changes.  As a result,I may not be posting as much during the coming week.  Please stay tuned for the big announcement! Love you all! And still feel free to find me on Twitter and Facebook for the time […]

21 CommentsRead more →

Where The Change Happens

Posted: November 16, 2011 at 7:54 am

It’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else. The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go. Making The Cut includes a lot of […]

79 CommentsRead more →

From Beginning To End

Posted: November 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

Good morning! First off, thanks for the many congrats yesterday. Love you all bunches for the tons of support you have given me in so many things this year. I hope I can return a little bit of that love through this here blog as well. So yesterday I had my first parent-teacher “conference” for […]

55 CommentsRead more →