Workout Wednesday: Two Moves for Toned Abs

We're back with two new moves — this time to help you strengthen and tone your tummy. Follow the gifs and get moving with Honest pilates guru Leila Cunningham!

LEG LIFTS

Benefits:  Helps tone and flatten abdominal muscles.

Step 1:  Start laying down with your legs in a tabletop (knees above hips) position with your heels together and toes apart. Curl up your upper body, while supporting your head with your hands behind it.

Step 2: Keeping heels tight together, extend both legs out then bring them back in. Repeat 6 to 8 times.

Step 3: Keep legs in 45 degree angle or higher. Point and flex your feet. Repeat 6 to 8 times.

Step 4: Still curled up, extend your arms forward then extend and bend one leg at the time. Repeat 6 to 8 times.

Honest Tip: Make a smaller range of motion with your legs to protect your back.  

CURL UP

Benefits: Helps strengthen deep layers of lower, mid and upper abdominal muscles.

Step 1: Start laying down with knees bent and both feet on the floor. Keep legs together. Place your hands behind your head, keeping elbows wide. Place upper body on the edge of the mat, just under the shoulder blades.

Step 2:  Keeping your legs together and feet on the floor, curl up your upper body then go back to extension. Repeat 5 times.

Step 3:  Extend and bend one leg while curling up. Repeat 5 times. Switch the leg and repeat.

Step 4: Extend one leg, lift up and lower down while curling up. Repeat 5 times. Switch the leg and repeat.

Honest Tip: Keeping your pelvis slightly tilted up will protect your lower back from arching.  

~Leila, FitPilates

Leila Cunningham is a Certified Pilates Instructor based in Los Angeles, California. When she isn’t sharing her knowledge and passion for Pilates at her studio, she’s spending time with her husband and two beautiful daughters. For more fitness tips and easy exercises, check out her YouTube channel.

This post is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for health advice. Before undertaking any course of exercise, you should seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider.