Want to look instantly slimmer? Good news: You can! Tone up your midsection and improve your posture with this core-strengthening workout.
So you thought there was no quick fix to looking slimmer? Good news: There totally is. It all comes down to your posture. Look at yourself in the mirror (full length preferably). Chances are, your shoulders are a little slumped, your spine is a little rounded and you’re sinking into your hips. The result is that your tummy sticks out, making you look rounder. Not ideal. Now try this trick: Stand up straight, pull your shoulders back and pull your chest out of your hips. Did you see what happened? How your tummy sucked in and you looked slimmer? More importantly, did you feel what happened? That tightness around your midsection is your core engaging. If you’re not used to engaging your core, it’ll probably be uncomfortable to maintain and you’ll quickly slip back into your familiar slump. Strengthen your core and your tummy will stay sucked in.
READ MORE: 3 Power Core Combos You Need To Try Now
Your Core Strengthening Workout
We all know there’s nothing more boring than endless crunches. This workout by Next Fitness Star top ten finalist Mosibudi Maponya strengthens your core without a single crunch. Bonus? It tones your whole body at the same time. Mosibudi’s all about multitasking moves, especially ones that you can do anywhere. For this workout, all you need are a pair of dumbbells and a resistance band. For each exercise, do as many reps as you can in one minute. Rest for 30 seconds, then move onto the next exercise. Once you’ve done all the exercises, that’s one round. Do three rounds total.
You’ll need: A set of dumbbells and a resistance band
Watch Mosibudi perform the moves:
1. Weighted Inchworm Push-Ups
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding dumbbells at your sides. Bend down and place your hands on the floor, still holding the weights, then walk them forward to push-up position. Perform one push-up, then walk your hands back again and return to standing. Try to keep your legs straight throughout. That’s one rep.
2. Banded Hip Thrust
Tie a theraband around your thighs and lie on your back, knees bent, toes raised, heels on the ground. Hands are on your hips. Squeeze your bum and raise your hips off the ground, bring your knees out to the sides, then in again. Lower back to start. That’s one rep.
READ MORE: This Warrior Workout Is Amazing For Your Core
3. Roll-up with Lateral Jump Squats
Lie on your back, knees bent, hands clasped at your chest. Tighten your tummy muscles and roll back onto your shoulders, then explosively roll forward, allowing the momentum to carry you onto your feet. Stay in a low squat, feet wider than hip width apart. Jump up, turning ninety degrees to the right and landing in a squat. Jump back to face the original way again and, as you land, drop back down to the mat and return to start. That’s one rep. Repeat, this time jumping ninety degrees to your left and continue alternate sides Try not to use your hands at all during this exercise.
4. Plank-up with Lateral Band Raise
Get in push-up position with a theraband wrapped around your hands. Raise your left hand out to the left, then lower back to start. Drop down to your elbows, one arm at a time, then lift back up to your hands, one arm at a time. Repeat, this time raising your right arm out to the right. That’s one rep.
Only have five minutes to spare? No worries. You can try the 3-minute ab workout Kayla Itsines swears by.
