No More Crunches! 5 Simple Ways to Tone Your Tummy

No More Crunches! 5 Simple Ways to Tone Your Tummy 

Do you cringe when you think about doing another crunch? If so, you’re not alone! If you’ve had back surgery, or you have a sensitive lower back, if you’ve just had a baby or if you just really hate doing crunches, this post is for you. Here are 5 simple and painless ways to tone your tummy without ever having to do a crunch again. Keep reading to find out how…

• Bear Walk – The bear walk is a simple but effective exercise that can help to strengthen the core muscles. To do the exercise, start by getting down on all fours, with the hands and feet shoulder-width apart. Keeping the back flat, lift the right hand and left foot off the ground, and take a step forward with each. Then, repeat with the left hand and right foot. Continue walking forward 3 steps and then back 3 steps. Do this for 30 seconds.

• Plank – Planks work by engaging all of the muscles in the stomach and back, including the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis. To do a plank, start by lying on your stomach with your hands flat on the ground. Then, raise yourself up so that you are resting on your forearms and toes. Be sure to keep your back straight and your abdominal muscles pulled in. Hold this position for 15 seconds before returning to the starting position. Work up to a 60-second hold. Planks can be modified to make them easier or more challenging, depending on your fitness level.

• Stomach Vacuuming – This is an old trend that has recently gone viral. Start by lying face-up on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground.  Place your hands on your stomach. Breathe out all of their air and draw your stomach in as far as possible. Hold this position for 10 seconds, then repeat. Try this 10-15 times. You can also perform this exercise while standing. Either way, it’s an easy exercise that can be done anywhere.

• Dead Bug – Unlike sit-ups or crunches, which primarily work the abs, dead bugs target all of the muscles in the core – including the obliques, lower back, and hips. To do a dead bug, simply lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Then, raise your arms straight up over your chest and slowly lower them toward the ground while simultaneously raising your legs into the air. Continue alternating sides until all of your reps are complete.

• Hip Bridges or Tilts –  The hip bridge is a simple move that can be done anywhere, without any equipment. To do a hip bridge, lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Then, raise your hips off the ground until your thighs and torso are in alignment. Hold this position for a few seconds before lowering your hips back to the ground. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times for optimal results. You can also increase the difficulty of the move by adding a weight to your hips or extending one leg into the air as you perform the bridge. Regardless of how you choose to modify the move, the hip bridge is an excellent exercise for toning your core muscles.

Ab workouts are an important part of any fitness routine, but they don’t have to involve crunches. There are plenty of other exercises that can help you tighten your stomach muscles and get the results you want. These are a few of our favorites; be sure to add them to your next routine!