Crop top ready for summer: 4 Exercises for a Flat Stomach

Midriff revealing Spring Summer 2014 look by David Koma.

Fashion trends come and go, especially when only one designer is pushing the trend. But the recent Spring/Summer 2014 runway shows had one very apparent trend – midriff baring tops.

It was a look that was seen on the runways from New York to London, Milan to Paris and it saw midriff baring tops (or semi sheer ones) paired with high waisted skirts and trousers, which meant when the trend flowed down to the high street there would be some level of wearability to it.

But ladies, unfortunately (or fortunately), it is time to start working out.

We spoke with Adrian Holdsworth, National Fitness Program Manager at Fitness First and asked him to give us tips on how to get a flat stomach in time for summer bikini season and all those cropped tops that are already available in stores by clever high street brands

4 Exercises for a Flat Stomach

Bodyweight sit through

1. Position yourself on the floor, in push up position with your hands directly under your shoulders
2. Slightly bend your right knee and bring it towards your chest, then extend your right leg out to the left side of your body while keeping your hands in line with your shoulder.
3. Bring your leg back into the starting position and perform on the right side.

Fitness First tip – Bringing your hips as close as you can to the floor while keeping your arms straight will work the abs and bum a lot more!

Prone Cobra (Hold retracted position)

1. Start from prone position lying face down with your arms relaxed next to your body
2. Lift you head, upper chest and arms up and squeeze your shoulder blades together and down
3. Keep your chin tucked, in neutral position, and rotate your arms externally
4. Hold this position before relaxing back down into the starting position

Fitness First tip – This exercise will challenge your lower back muscles and help balance the work done by the abdominal muscles in the other exercises

Up-Down Plank

1. Start from prone position lying face down on the floor and rise up onto your feet and elbows
2. While keeping core and glutes strong initiate the up movement by rising up from your elbows to your hands
3. Once on your hands maintain the position for a couple seconds and return back to your elbows

Fitness First tip – Keep your spine in the neutral position and don’t let your hips sag towards the floor for the best core workout

Mountain Climbers

1. Start in the push up position with your hands a little wider than shoulder width
2. Take your left leg off the ground and drive your left knee up towards the left elbow
3. Under control return to the start position and repeat on the other side

Fitness First tip – As you increase the speed of movement this exercise not only works your core, but also uses a lot of energy helping you burn fat

Midriff revealing Spring Summer 2014 collections by Diane Von Furstenberg, Ohne Titel and Zimmermann.

Fashion trends come and go, especially when only one designer is pushing the trend. But the recent Spring/Summer 2014 runway shows had one very apparent trend – midriff baring tops.