Exercises that Work

Well what can I say other than we try all these amazing workouts and gyms, somewhere along the way you find something that works for you or not. I found what works for me after many years, which ab ones give you that amazing 6 pack we will all die for.

After many years trying weights, cardio and a whole bunch of other workouts I finally managed to tweak it down.

Well for starters the wonderful butterfly crunch for abs, gives you that amazing 6 pack, start with 10 and I now have mine up to 45 crunches. It works the whole tummy area and the hips as well.

Butterfly crunch:

Lie on your back, knees relaxed out to the side (knees bent outwards), put your heels together. Your head is cradled by your hands. Press your abdomen into your back and lift into your crunch, try and concentrate on flattening your abdomen. You can start with 8 or as many as you like and slowly build it up.

Of course my favorite exercise DVD is Denise Austin, mat workout based on the work of JH.Pilates, great one with two wonderful workouts.

It seems quite easy, but as you find afterwards you will be a bit sore which can be good. That stomach will just suck in like magic, as you are constantly working the core (your abdominal area). Some wonderful exercises for your stomach, legs, bums and abs.

Denise Austin - Power Yoga Plus

The mixture of Pilates and Yoga, I normally alternate with the one above, doing one of the two workouts on the dvd. This is definately a more strenous workout, so if starting out try the first one the Pilates one.

Denise Austin - Hit the Spot Core Complete

This is a great one with the Pilates Ball, this is a fantastic one you can do the longer workout or a shorter version if you don't have time. I got great results from this dvd, especially on the flabby outer thigh area, mine disappeared completely.

Denise Austin - Shrink Your Female Fat Zones

Great workouts broken up into sections, so if you want to just target your tummy, or just your bum, or even the legs. Excellent and quite tough, especially a great one for the hips and bum, where you sit on your bum and your one leg stretched out in front the other one is bent in front like in meditation pose. The one stretched out you move to the back so your leg is bent backwards, you do your number of reps your foot and leg is off the ground. When you have done your reps you pulse your leg up and down for a few reps. That is just so powerful.

I have a few other favorite old dvds of Kathy Ireland:

Kathy Ireland - Core Workout

12 Minutes Abs

12 Minutes Buns

12 Minutes Thighs

Kathy Ireland Reach - great stretching one.

This is excellent as well, I highly recommend this one, it really targets outer thighs, abdomen and bums. Nice short ones for when you don't have much time. The reach one is great when you are all stressed from work, great exercise to destress.

Kathy Ireland - Absolutely Fit

Abdomen workouts for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Great if you just want to target your abs.

For some funky music ones and steps:

Hip Hop Abs

This is very cool, gets you going, it also has some yoga workouts which are quite good.