Flat stomach: What kind of sports will help achieve killer abs?

ABS AND GLUTES

It is easy, you do not even have to rely on the professionals to give you advice. Do you want to lose that round belly fast? Prioritise training that works the abs and glutes, and combine these with cycling or running to work on your endurance.

Try Pilates, and complete with a session of body sculpting or fitness. This combination is ideal for women of 40 to 50 years with back problems, the cease of physical activity as a result of which causes weight gain. Also perfect in the case of prolapse, Pilates is a method that is more “health” than “beauty”-centred, but whose effects are reflected in a more toned figure.

MARTIAL ARTS

We give our bodies a workout with all that kicking and punching, we learn how to block attacks by locking of the arms and dodging, all whilst attempting to find and maintain your balance. There are many fitness classes based on martial arts that you can try out.

“GLIDING” SPORTS

Skiing, surfing or windsurfing. There is a need to remain stable and maintain our balance, all whilst remaining very mobile. For these sports, we thus require large quantities of core abdominal strength.

BARRE AU SOL

“If a woman comes to see me to tighten up a belly that is sagging, I try to explain to them that exercise can never be centralised , even though it will eventually bring her exactly what she seeks – amongst other things – a nice belly . I refuse to separate between the stomach and the rest of the body, the body and the mind,” says Christine Conti, professor of contemporary barre au sol and gymnastics, who does not want to reduce a woman’s worth to just a flat belly.

Barre au sol is practiced whilst stretched out on the ground. The whole body is studied, but gently, without any pressure or form of violence. By practicing once or twice a week, you will be able to see the body changing, the silhouette refining, and, inevitably, the stomach toning. Take note though, only regular practisers benefit from it. A fortnightly session is no use at all,” affirms Christine Conti.

RACQUET SPORTS

Constantly upright, the legs have to support the weight of the body in motion. The arms and legs are frequently raised and stretched, which solicit the abdominal muscles.

RUNNING

Here, as in all other sports, the “neutral” position must be maintained. Shoulders dropped, shoulder blades back, chest out, and head up.

HOME GYM

If you choose not to elect a personal trainer in a gym, follow these classic and foolproof home exercises on a gym mat. Practice two to three times a week in order to begin seeing some positive results.

For lower abs – lie down on the floor, legs stretched out and slightly bent, arms against the body. Lift the buttocks off the ground whilst tightening the lower abs. Lower your pelvis slowly back the floor. Repeat twenty times; if you feel a burning sensation in the lower abdomen, it means that it has been successful.

For the obliques, the muscles attached below the navel – lie on your back, knees slightly bent, hands behind the head, then touch your right elbow with your left knee and vice versa. Repeat twenty times; you should feel the burn, but this time along your sides.

For the waist – stretch out, with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, arms against the body. Raise your head and shoulders off the floor, and try to touch the right and left heels with the tips of your fingers. Repeat twenty times, then rest and repeat for three sets.

CYCLING

Real cycling – not the mobile types in the apartment, which does not recreate the movement in space – where it is necessary to stabilize yourself to move forward. But for people sitting all day in the office, running, which requires movement of the entire body, may be more appropriate.

WATER SPORTS

The resistance of the water, the movements of the arms and legs to keep the body afloat build muscles around the abdomen.

Nathalie Cham