The Abs-Tightening Workout You're Not Doing—But Should Be
Next time you're at the gym, try this.
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The abs are your body’s built-in way of stabilizing itself. When you remove balance points, your abs will always engage. Try it! Go from standing on two feet to standing on only one. Notice how your abs turn “on.” How about going from kneeling on “all 4s” to extending one leg or arm out. Hi, abs! Now try getting into plank on toes and elbows, turning to one side, and lifting your top foot and forearm (shown below).
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF BROOK BENTEN JIMENEZ
Feel it? Now, imagine this: You remove all contact with the floor. When hanging in the air and attempting movement, your abs are recruited for both for your body’s strength and stability needs. The next time you’re in the gym, find a pull-up bar or a fitness rig to which you can attach a set of ab straps. Use the attached sling to lock them in, and get ready to set a match to your abs muscles! (You can also install a pull-up bar like this one in a door frame at home to do this workout whenever you like.)
The workout: Perform 4 of each of the following exercises. Rest as long as you’d like. Complete 4 sets total like this. Aim to do this series once a week, in conjunction with your other core training.
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