If a flatter stomach is your goal, there are a few steps you can take in order to blast belly fat, tone your abs, and achieve the body of your dreams. In addition to maintaining a balanced diet and cutting out processed foods that could thwart your weight loss goals, a great workout routine is crucial. And as it turns out, Pilates is one of the best types of exercise you can try out to shed pounds.
There are a few great Pilates moves that can help tighten your core and promote a flatter belly. To discover some of the best options out there for a flatter stomach, we spoke to Mike Silverman, CPT, and Master Trainer for Living.Fit. He told us that The Hundred, Roll-Up, and Criss-Cross are fantastic ways to go. Read on to learn about each of these exercises.
1. The Hundred
It’s time to work those abs! According to Silverman, “The Hundred is a dynamic breathing exercise that engages the deep abdominal muscles.” He explains that the controlled arm movements help stimulate blood flow and promote circulation, which activates your transverse abdominis (a.k.a. your inner abs) in order to cinch your waistline “like a corset.” They don’t call it “the hundred” for nothing—you’ll pump your arms 100 times for this. Here’s how it’s done:
1. Lie on your back with your legs extended and arms by your sides.
2. Lift your head, neck, and shoulders off the mat while simultaneously raising your legs to a tabletop position.
3. Pump your arms up and down while inhaling for five counts and exhaling for five counts (a total of 100 arm pumps).
2. Roll-Up
Another great core-strengthening exercise is the Roll-Up. “The controlled movement promotes flexibility while focusing on the rectus abdominis and deep abdominal muscles, aiding in achieving a leaner waistline,” Silverman explains. Find his instructions below:
1. Lie on your back with your arms extended overhead and legs straight.
2. Slowly curl your body up, reaching your arms towards your feet, and articulate your spine off the mat.
3. Roll back down with control, one vertebra at a time.
3. Criss-Cross
When it comes to achieving a strong core and flat stomach, it’s important not to forget to work your obliques. That’s where the Criss-Cross comes in. “The Criss-Cross exercise is highly effective for targeting the obliques through rotation,” Silverman explains. “This exercise sculpts the waistline by engaging both the internal and external obliques.” He tells us how it’s done:
1. Lie on your back with your hands behind your head and knees lifted to tabletop.
2. Rotate your torso to bring your right elbow towards your left knee while extending the right leg.
3. Switch sides, twisting to bring the left elbow to the right knee.
The bottom line
Ultimately, it's important to remember that achieving a flat belly is about more than just doing a few exercises. Weight loss requires dedication to a combination of many healthy habits. However, by working your abs with Pilates moves like these on a regular basis, you'll absolutely be on the way to a tighter stomach.
READ MORE: The Best Natural Remedies To Eliminate Belly Fat, According To Experts
