Unlike other core muscles, the TVA runs horizontally and wraps around your midsection to suck in flab like a girdle and improve your posture so you look slimmer instantly. But most ab exercises miss the TVA because it's buried under the front and side torso muscles, and its actions are subtle (you feel it engage when you sneeze). According to research from Auburn University, moves that stabilize the midsection-- such as the plank-- are 34% more effective at targeting the TVA than traditional spine-flexing crunches. That's why you won't find a single sit-up in this workout.
Next, uncover those nicely toned abs with our fat-burning, customizable cardio interval routine. Australian research shows that this type of workout zaps belly fat faster than regular aerobic exercise.
For beach-ready abs in no time, combine these workouts with our antibloat plan, adapted from Prevention's Flat Belly Diet, to blast up to 7 pounds, nearly 5 inches from all over, and more than an inch off your belly in just 4 days.
Workout at a Glance
What You'll Need
A stability ball, mat, and cloth belt (like the one from your bathrobe)
3 Days A Week
Do the Tummy-Tucking Moves on nonconsecutive days, starting with 2 sets of 10 reps of each move (unless otherwise indicated).
3 Alternate Days
Follow the Belly-Blasting Intervals routine, using your choice of cardio activities.
For Fastest Results
Try our Eat to Beat Bloat Plan and work up to a total of 3 sets of each Tummy-Tucking Move. Do 30 to 60 minutes of steady-paced cardio on these days, too, to burn even more calories.
Part 1
Tummy-tucking Moves
For a more effective workout, start each session with the Ab Vacuum, which warms your TVA so you'll fully engage it throughout the routine.
Ab Vacuum
The move: Wrap belt around waist at belly button level, tying loose ends. Kneel with hands on floor below shoulders, knees beneath hips, and back flat. Breathe in deeply and expand belly to press against belt. Exhale, draw belly button toward spine (belt will loosen), and hold for 5 to 10 seconds (continue to breathe as you hold). Repeat 5 to 10 times.
Core Pulse
Main Move
Lie on back with arms at sides, legs extended. Engage abs and lift head, shoulders, upper back, and arms a few inches off floor. Inhale as you pulse arms up and down an inch or two for a count of 5; exhale, arms pulsing, for a count of 5. That's 1 rep.
Make It Easier Do the move with knees bent as much as 90 degrees.
Make It Harder Lower legs toward floor, then pulse. The closer they are to the floor (without arching your back), the more challenging the move will be.
Elevated Plank
Main Move
Place forearms on ball, fingers interlaced, and extend legs straight behind, supported on toes. Exhale, pulling belly button toward spine, then hold for 30 to 60 seconds, back flat and body in a straight line. Rest 30 seconds and repeat. Do 3 times.Make It Easier Do plank with forearms on floor.
Make It Harder From plank on ball, alternate bringing knees toward chest for 10 reps per leg.
Double Reach
Main Move
Lie on back, knees hugged to chest, head and shoulders lifted. Exhale, engage abs, and extend legs forward to about 45 degrees while reaching arms back. Inhale and pull knees and arms back in to start position.
Make It Easier Keep knees bent as you extend legs forward.
Make It Harder Lower legs to just 2 to 3 inches off floor.
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Core Lunge Main Move Stand with feet staggered, left foot about 3 feet in front of right, and hold stability ball at chest level, arms extended. Inhale, engage abs, and slowly lower, bending both knees to about 90 degrees (keep front knee behind toes). Exhale and, with control, stand up and raise ball overhead, keeping arms straight (at left). Repeat, lowering ball as you lunge. Make It Easier Do the move without holding ball. Make It Harder From lunge position with knees bent, rotate to left, right, and back to center to complete 1 rep. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Toe Dip Main Move Lie on back with legs over hips, knees bent to 90 degrees. Exhale, engage abs, then slowly lower one foot almost to floor, using abs to keep back from overarching. Return to start and switch legs. Make It Easier Plant one foot on floor; lift and lower one leg at a time. Make It Harder Squeeze legs together and lower both feet simultaneously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | Ball Balance Main Move Lie on ball, hands and toes on floor. Exhale and pull abs in to stabilize, then raise right arm forward and left leg back. Breathe and hold for 10 seconds, using ab and back muscles to keep ball steady and body in a straight line, then lower. Repeat with opposite arm and leg. Do 5 times on each side. Make It Easier Lift arm only for 5 reps, then repeat with opposite leg. Switch sides and repeat. Make It Harder Hold raised position as you write the alphabet in the air with extended arm. Switch sides and repeat. Belly-Blasting Intervals Women who did just 20 minutes of interval training lost 3 pounds from their bellies during a 15-week study. Here's a fun, equipment-free version you can do in your living room, backyard, or local park. You can also swap your favorite style of cardio (like walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling) into the chart below, alternating 20 seconds at a vigorous intensity with 40-second recovery bouts at a moderate pace. Whatever activity you pick, focus on pulling your belly button to your spine to target your TVA throughout the routine.
*Effort level on a scale of 1-10, where 1 is sitting and 10 is all-out sprinting. |
