Winter is prime time for indulging, but don’t let your body suffer the consequences. It will be beach season before you know it; besides, carrying a hefty amount of fat around your midsection isn’t great for overall health. We asked Yorktown Heights-based certified nutritionist and personal trainer Sloane Davis (pictured) of Pancakes & Pushups to share some belly-busting workouts you can do at home.
Hanging Leg Raises: Davis notes that while this is one of the hardest abdominal exercises, it is also one of the most effective. “These are among the few abdominal exercises that allow your abs to open up so that you can fully contract your stomach muscles,” she explains.
Russian Twist: “This is a challenging abdominal exercise,” says Davis. “I love it because it targets more than one area, and you can really do it anywhere. It not only works the obliques, but it also helps your middle and lower back as well as your lats.”
Reverse Crunch: “This challenging and very effective move targets the lower abdominal area, which is the hardest place to chisel, as most tend to carry fat in this area,” says Davis.
PHOTOS BY OF SLOANE DAVIS |
Crunch on Stability Ball: This workout isolates the abs and protects your lower back, according to Davis. “Being on an unstable surface boosts the activation — or flexing — of the controlled abdominal move,” she notes.