Aslim midsectionis one of the most common goals I see among clients.
Achieving a slim and sleek midriff often involves more than just endless crunches.
Keep reading to learn all about the five best free-weight workouts for a slim midriff.
Photo: Shutterstock. Design: Eat This, Not That!
And when you’re finished, don’t miss the10 Best Low-Impact Exercises To Melt Belly Fat.
By adding resistance with a free weight, you’ll increase the intensity and effectiveness of this exercise.
Russian Twists
Sit on the floor with your knees bent and your feet lifted off the ground.
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Lean back slightly, keeping your spine straight and your chest lifted.
Engage your core, and twist your torso to the right.
Return to the center, and repeat the movement on the left side.
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Continue alternating sides for three sets of 15 to 20 reps.
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Repeat on the opposite side.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
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Repeat on the opposite side.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
Dumbbell Side Bends
Stand upright with a dumbbell in your right hand, feet hip-width apart.
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Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
Slowly bend to the right side, lowering the dumbbell toward your knee while keeping your left arm extended.
Engage your core, and return to the starting position.
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Repeat the movement on the left side.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
Bend sideways toward the floor, allowing the dumbbell to lower toward your knee.
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Return to the starting position.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
Overhead Dumbbell Side Bends
Stand upright with a dumbbell in one hand, holding it overhead.
Bend sideways toward the floor.
Return to the starting position.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
Woodchoppers
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell with both hands.
Start with the weight at one side of your body, next to your hip.
Engage your core, and lift the weight diagonally across your body, ending above your opposite shoulder.
Keep your arms straight, and rotate your torso as you lift the weight.
Slowly lower the weight back to the starting position.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
Medicine Ball Woodchoppers
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a medicine ball with both hands.
Start with the ball at one side of your body, next to your hip.
Engage your core, and lift the ball diagonally across your body, ending above your opposite shoulder.
Return to the starting position.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
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Start with the weight at one side of your body, next to your hip.
Engage your core, and lift the weight diagonally across your body, ending above your opposite shoulder.
Return to the starting position.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
Standing Dumbbell Oblique Crunches
Stand upright with a dumbbell in your right hand, feet hip-width apart.
Extend your right arm overhead, holding the dumbbell vertically.
Return to the starting position.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
Standing Side Crunches
Stand upright with a dumbbell in one hand, feet hip-width apart.
Bend sideways toward the weighted side, bringing your elbow toward your hip.
Return to the starting position.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
Return to the starting position.
Perform three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side.
Keep your body in a straight line, and engage your core.
Pull the dumbbell toward your hip, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.
Perform three sets of 10 to 12 reps per side.
Perform three sets of 10 to 12 reps of rows per side.
Renegade Rows
Start in a plank position with a dumbbell in each hand.
Perform rows by pulling one dumbbell toward your hip while stabilizing with the opposite arm.
Perform three sets of 10 to 12 reps per side.
