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    6 places in the UAE for an unforgettable horse riding experience

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    58 mins ago

    From a spacious paddock to qualified instructors, the UAE is well-known for this exhilarating sport which is available all year round for you to enjoy.
    So, get your equestrian hat on to enjoy the outdoors and experience nature at its finest.
    As here at Emirates Woman we are quite the fans of horse-riding, here’s a curated list of stables with fully equipped facilities for you to embrace throughout the year, especially now.
    Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club

    With a state-of-the-art polo and equestrian community located in Dubailand, with over six million square feet of land, it consists of four world-class polo fields, a polo academy, a riding school with a dedicated riding aren’t emulating that Andalusian elegance with an oasis of excellence and uncompromising luxury. The instructors help fine-tune your skills with the well-schooled horses as it operates from Sunday to Saturday, 6am to 12am. Prices start at Dhs240 for beginners in a group setting and Dhs475 for a private beginners class.
    For more information visit poloclubdubai.com
    JA Equestrian centre

    Featuring its own air-conditioned stables with a vast expanse at JA, The Resort. This wonderful place for horse riding in the UAE provides expert qualified instructors for both experts and beginners in a fully-equipped schooling environment where regular riders can venture out and enjoy the natural desert environment, making it available all year round. The stables operate from 7am to 12pm and 4pm to 7pm.
    For more information visit jaresortshotels.com
    Dubai City stable

     
    This family-friendly oasis located in Umm Sequim district, being only 10 minutes from Dubai’s Downtown area is perfectly suited for city residents who are either trained or wish to begin their horse riding journey as this stable is truly the perfect point for all horse desert adventures as they offer both private and group tuition for beginners through various events too. Starting at Dhs190 for 45 minutes, this place is definitely one to visit.
    For more information visit dubaicitystable.com 
    Sharjah Equestrian and Racing club

    Being one of the first equestrian clubs in the UAE established under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, this riding club is located on Al Dhaid Road. It’s home to one of the largest indoor riding facilities in the Middle East ensuring that its well equipped with qualified trainers and riding instructors who have advanced their technical skills. The riding school is closed on Tuesday and is open from morning 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm.
    For more information visit serc.ae
    Emirates Equestrian centre

    Whether you’re interested in horse riding or simply wish to experience a tranquil equine desert escape, riders of all levels are welcome and also have the opportunity to learn about show jumping, dressage, eventing, join the pony club or visit the riding school. With fully qualified instructors being able to answer your queries, polo events also take place for you to simply visit. The lesson hours are available from 7am to 11am and 4pm to 7pm and is located on Al-Ain Road, Dubai.
    For more information visit emiratesequestriancentre.com
    Al Wadi Equestrian Centre
    Located at the Ritz Carlton resort Al Wadi in Ras Al Khaimah, this equestrian centre offers lessons and experiences for guests of all ages and skill levels. Group and private lessons are available for experienced and beginner riders, including children. Spacious paddocks and a horse-walking arena are among the facilities.
    For more information visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/uae/al-wadi-desert/

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: Al Wadi Equestrian Centre More

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    4 Postpartum Exercises That’ll Give You A Tighter Core

    Hey mama! Congratulations on your new baby and we’re sure you can’t wait to get back into action to start working out. Don’t forget, we all heal at a different pace, but a good indication of how well you’re healing would be to get the ‘all clear’ from your doctor when you go for your six weeks check-up. Before then, walking and light exercise is great. Grab the stroller, the baba, and get some fresh air.
    Fitness instructor, mother of three, and former Women’s Health Next Fitness Star Finalist, Phia-Lee Rabie shares her top four core recovery exercises, that will tighten the corset and slim your waistline, after childbirth.
    [embedded content]
    Postpartum Exercises
    1/ The Vacum
    Perform these postpartum exercises standing, sitting or lying down.

    Take a deep breath in and on the exhale, draw the belly button in and up towards your spine squeeze out all the air.
    Hold your breath forming a vacuum when you can’t hold your breath any more breath slowly keeping your belly button drawn.
    Perform this hold as long as you can or do a 30-second hold for 5 sets.

    READ MORE: How Yoga Helped This Woman Cope With Her Pregnancy
    2/ Vacuum Twist
    Perform these postpartum exercises while standing.

    Do the vacuum hold (drawn in holding your breath) and add an upper-body twist with hands behind your head.
    Keep the movement smooth with 10 reps and work up to 20 reps for 5 sets.

    3/ Heal Taps
    Performed lying down with knees bent.

    Place your hands under your bottom for extra support.
    Draw the belly button in and keep your upper body on the floor.
    Curl up the lower body knees towards your chest.
    Rollback down and tap the heels on the floor that’s one rep. Start with 30sec 4 to 5 sets.

    READ MORE: 6 Weight Loss Strategies That’ll Get You Closer To Your #BodyGoals
    4/Leg Slides
    Performed lying down, with knees bent and feet flat.

    Draw the belly button in and slowly slide the one leg down the floor to straighten it out, then slide it back.
    Take a deep breath, draw in the belly button, and repeat on the other side.
    Do 4 to 5 sets per side. Increase your reps as you get stronger.

    READ MORE: 11 Best Workout Tights To Give You All The Gym Inspo
    Postpartum exercises: a word from the expert
    Gynaecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon, Dr Natalia Novikova, says postpartum exercises are very important for maintaining general health and mental wellbeing. “There are different ways of getting back to exercise. It’s possible to return to physical exercise within a few weeks of giving birth if you had a vaginal birth and within four weeks after Caesarean section,” she says.
    Dr Novikova advises, if you suffer from medical illnesses or have had complications with your pregnancy,  it’s advisable to consult your treating doctor regarding the return to physical activity. “Listen to your body, don’t overstretch —  stop if you are sore. I suggest finding time every day for at least 30 minutes workout,” she says.
    Tiredness and lack of sleep make it very hard to get into any exercise routine, but once you start exercising your energy levels will improve and you will be happier so it’s certainly worth trying to fit it in. Any exercises will work well — lunges, squats, sit-ups, push-ups, yoga, core exercises, spinning, swimming. More

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    6 Dance Fitness Lessons From The Fitness Marshall

    So you thought exercise was boring? Nuh-uh! Use these lessons from the Fitness Marshall to turn your workout into a fierce dance-fitness sweat sesh.
    At the end of May we teamed up with Cotton On BODY for their tenth birthday celebration — an early-morning dance party in Nelson Mandela Square with the Fitness Marshall himself, Caleb Marshall. Let’s be honest, it didn’t take much convincing to get us there — we were already huge fans of the Fitness Marshall YouTube videos.
    But while we expected a rocking good time, we weren’t totally convinced that the Fitness Marshall brand of cardio dance fitness counted as a legit workout. Until we tried it. And discovered that breaking it down to catchy pop tunes gets your heart rate up enough to ditch your jersey on an icy Jozi winter’s morning. Plus, it’s also surprisingly taxing on your muscles. So if your idea of working out is suffering through endless sets of mindless repetitions, use these lessons from the Fitness Marshall to turn your lounge dance-offs (we know you do them!) into bonafide exercise.
    1. Up The Energy
    To reap the heart-healthy, fat-burning benefits of cardio, you need to get that heart rate up. Incorporating jumps into your workout (even little ones) makes it more explosive, which ups your heart rate and the burn. Bonus: It’ll sculpt your calves, too.

    READ MORE: 4 Core Moves That’ll Create A Stronger Body All Over
    2. Get Low
    Nobody enjoys squats. But they’re brilliant for toning your legs and perking up your butt. Take the pain out of repetitive squats by getting low on the dance floor. And holding it there. Same muscle activation, way more fun.

    3. Get Flexi
    Flexibility is one of the markers for overall fitness because the more flexible you are, the better you move and the lower your risk for injury. If you sit at a desk all day or do sports that involve repetitive movements (hey there, runners and cyclists!) you’re already at a disadvantage. Sorry. Add a yoga class or two to your workout schedule or take time for dynamic stretching.

    READ MORE: “Here’s How I Got My Fitness Back After The Pandemic”
    4. Move In Different Directions
    There’s a reason athletes do agility drills. They create new pathways in your brain that help you respond quicker (say, dodging out the way when someone’s about to bump you on the street) and improve your balance and spatial awareness. Practise moving backwards, sideways and changing direction quickly.

    5. Work That Core
    Having a strong core is going to help you in everything you do. These are the muscles that support your spine and they’re connected to all the other major muscle groups in your body. Strengthening them also lengthens your body and keeps you upright, making you look slimmer. Score!

    READ MORE: Pro-Fighter Jess Mouneimne Shows Why You Should Take Up MMA
    6. Use Your Whole Body
    There are certainly times for working muscles in isolation (say, if you’re a bodybuilder or doing rehab) but for overall functional fitness and strength, train your body the way it moves in life — as a unit.

     Need more inspiration? Check out what went down in Nelson Mandela Square…
    [embedded content]
    Looking for more dance-inspired workouts? Put the fun back into ‘leg day’ with these four POUND moves. More

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    How this Dubai-based Pilates studio promises the ultimate wellness experience

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    2 hours ago

    Elle Sawyer, founder of Dubai- based Pilates studio, POSTURE. shares what it takes to launch her own wellness space.

    Talk us through your career.
    I started interning as a Fashion Assistant at Hearst Group [formerly, The National Magazine Company in London] whilst studying. It was there that I found my love for fashion and editorial and wanted to be part of the industry. I later graduated in English Literature and moved to Dubai at age 22, where I began work as a production manager. Working there opened up doors into editorial, advertising and many other production divisions in the region, allowing me to later niche my experience specifically when going freelance and producing regularly for the likes of NET-A-PORTER, luxury magazines and more both regionally and internationally. I am very grateful for the experience I gained in the region, and to the place, I call home, Dubai. Though I loved my career as a creative producer, I always felt something was missing. The once-loved 14-hour shoot days became mundane and the fast-paced zero work/life balance lifestyle I’d created for myself, in the end, made me feel unhealthy. Later that summer, as a result, I suffered an ectopic pregnancy and decided that it was time for a change. As a way to unwind from work, I had started Reformer Pilates and I loved what it did for my mind and body. During the lockdown, I started taking Pilates more seriously and decided to train as a teacher. While training in Pilates, I naturally started teaching it to other people – wanting others around me to believe and love it as much as I did. I became so passionate about it that it clicked that this was my calling. Other than my actual Pilates certification, I have always been a very spiritual person and enjoy being around like-minded people that inspire and teach me things I do not know, especially in mind-body practices. Life is always about learning and I take great pleasure in learning new realms of wellness in physical and mental forms. Spirituality, meditation, law of attraction, crystal healing, acupuncture [& TCM] are all areas of well-being that I actively practice in my everyday life.

    What inspired you to launch POSTURE.?
    Having worked with fashion magazines and brands throughout my career, I wanted to create a brand that married the two worlds together. My love of Pilates and fashion fuelled my vision to create POSTURE. as being a positive and inviting space that was modern, minimalistic with healing. I knew I wanted more than to become a freelance instructor as I’d spent my whole adult career in Dubai predominantly freelancing, so it felt like the right time to found my own company. I had been to many studios in London and New York that just had something about them, and without fail always made me feel so excited to visit – I wanted that for myself and I wanted that for Dubai. I took everything I had learned in my life so far, put pen to paper, and began making my dream a reality. I think ultimately, it’s not just a workout that people want to experience, it’s a carefully designed space for people to belong, and for people who share the same likes and passions; to feel seen as part of a community. At POSTURE. we hand-selected all of our equipment and décor from all around the globe to ensure we were different and catered to the luxury clientele. We were selective with the instructors we hired; the schools they had qualified from, their energy, their overall vibe and their aesthetic. We partnered only with brands that we felt on-brand with – ethically and aesthetically. We curated our music/ playlists to suit our routines to give a little extra flare to our classes (increasing their stamina both physically & mentally, as well as including cognitive learning by moving to the tempo of the beat making Pilates a fun and fresh workout) and we have designed and created POSTURE. Merchandise to further strengthen our brand. The space included practicing a slice of wellness in our everyday schedule – from our breathwork at the start of every class, to our wellness club workshops in sound healing & Yin meditation, to ending on our signature affirmation cards to finish our practice together in every session. It ALL matters – every little detail as that’s what makes us who we are as a brand.
    What lies at the core of POSTURE. and at the DNA of the brand?
    POSTURE. is essentially a community for like-minded people to escape their realities and connect with their inner selves. Whether their workouts are more active and fast-paced, or relaxing and meditative, POSTURE. is for people who appreciate being in an environment surrounded by luxuries. POSTURE. is all about getting to know your body and its boundaries and cultivating that all-important Qi. Our studio’s method focuses not just on the strength & mobility of the Pilates repertoire but building your form and core too. I talk about Cultivating the Qi a lot in my sessions, as it is something in the last year I had researched and explored when physically, I needed it.
    What are the key benefits of Reformer Pilates?
    The Reformer accommodates a full range motion, using your body weight against the resistance of the springs and carriage; making this a unique full-body workout providing a strong focus on core strength + muscle engagement which improves performance, weight loss, balance, back pain plus our favourite POSTURE. At POSTURE. we split our classes into two levels to cater for all which includes the reformer flow for beginners and an intermediate level. It’s best for those new to the reformer and those that require an introduction to the principles of Pilates at a slower and controlled pace. It’s designed to tone, lengthen and strengthen and reinforce the importance of a strong core and great posture. The next level is reformer tempo for an intermediate and advanced level. It’s best for those familiar with the reformer plus the principles of Pilates, who can keep up with the pace and be ready to work up an up- beat sweat to the beat of our curated playlists. The benefits range from increasing both physical and mental stamina and raising everyone’s Pilates techniques to the next level.

    As a next-generation Pilates instructor, what are the basic skills you want to instill in your students?
    All of our instructors have their own groove and style to enhance the collective passion for wellness, fitness, and spiritualism. We want to bring a fresh holistic energy to Mat & Reformer Pilates – introducing the core values of Joseph Pilates’ repertoire on the Mat, and one that compliments their practice with the Reformer too. Our studio focuses not just on the flow of the Pilates repertoire, but building your form and core; and one that honours your practice with your daily well-being too. Our routines are designed to activate that all-important parasympathetic phase of relaxation that we all need more of, certainly living up to POSTURE.’s ethos of a mind-body-soul experience, that focuses on getting to know your body and its boundaries and cultivating that all-important Qi.
    What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
    Passion and drive are everything over base-level talent. There are millions of people in the world doing the same job, but what makes you different is your unique passion and drive in what you do. Ultimately, people buy into you as a person, over your qualifications. What makes you different is that you need to keep asking yourself to drive yourself to do better and be better.

    This is The Reset Issue – how can we reset from the inside out?
    “Not only is health a normal condition, but it is our duty to not only to attain it but to maintain it.” – Joseph Pilates.
    A famous quote from the man himself. I believe everyone should take time to learn and become aware of themselves and their daily habits. Being mindful and practicing wellness in your everyday life will really impact the way you live. I work with many clients that suffer with poor posture – most suffering from ‘popular’ back issues like Sciatica/Kyphosis and wonder why. If we carry ourselves in a way of poor posture, it can distort how our body should be feeling. We start to hunch our shoulders, look down at the floor more, feeling negative – instead of opening up our shoulders, walk- ing proud and have a positive look on life. If we constrict our body due to bad posture, it not only affects the way we walk, our nervous system, digestive system and even joints are affected causing them to shift their position and change. Over time, this shows in your everyday life in how you carry yourself. @thisisposture_
    January’s – The Reset Issue – Download Now 
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    These Are The Fitness Trends Set To Dominate 2023, According to Google

    New Year who dis? A seismic shift hit 2022 (to say the least) and reverberated through all of us. It threw our priorities and goals and day-to-day habits into a high-speed blender. The topsy-turvy time also offered up an opportunity to reset, embrace the unexpected, and figure out how to keep going. Would 2021 you recognise the 2022 version? 

    Maybe not, but it’s okay. Out went packed race corrals and after-work happy hours. In came pure joy, sweating in unfamiliar ways, and treating your mental health with real TLC. Resettling into the new world was a bit scary at first, but now: The silver linings are everywhere. 

    And now, with 2023 only a day away, we’re already looking to the fitness trends set to dominate over the next 12 months.

    According to new Google trend data, the 12-3-30 workout will come out on top next year (with a massive 308% increase in interest after finding fame on TikTok), followed by a resurgence in Crossfit as well as big spikes in interest for twerking classes. As for home workouts? Those are a thing of the past.

    The new research analysed worldwide Google search data for over 120 different trends to calculate the increase (or decrease) in interest in them between now, and the same period last year. Check it out below:

    The Top 10 Fitness Trends for 2023

    RankTrend% Increase (Jul-Sept 2021 vs. Jul-Sept 2022)112-3-30 workouts+308.78%2Crossfit+173.21%3Twerking class+125%475 soft+124.24%5Hyrox+123.75%6Jazzercise+122.22%7Stroller fitness+88.23%8Pilates+83.60%9Incline walk+83.33%10Everesting+83.33%11Floating yoga+60%12Indoor surfing+50%13Hiking+50%14Yoga+49.72%15Rock climbing+49.63%16Calisthenics+49.63%17F45+49.59%18Zuu+49.58%19Breathwork+49.44%20Outdoor fitness+49.38%

    Much the same as PureGym’s findings last year, the popularity of glute workouts is going nowhere fast, with interest growing year on year (+22%). This crowns glutes as the body part global fitness fans are most interested in building, followed by shoulders and calves. On the other end of the scale, having sculpted abs looks to be less of a focus in 2023, with an 18% drop in interest over the last year.

    For every new trend that comes in, an old trend must go. The world of virtual fitness continues to lose mainstream interest as we move further away from the pandemic, with virtual fitness challenges (-45.76%), outdoor personal trainers (-45.45%), and virtual fitness classes (-45.45%) all seeing the biggest falls in interest.

    The 10 Fitness Trends On Their Way Out For 2023

    RankTrend% Decrease (Jul-Sept 2021 vs. Jul-Sept 2022)1Virtual fitness challenges-45.76%2Outdoor personal trainers-45.45%3Skipping workouts-45.45%4Virtual fitness classes-45.45%5Free weight training-45%6100-rep challenge-34.61%7Active video games-33.33%8Online fitness programmes-33.33%9Virtual training-33.33%10Workout challenges-33.33%

    *This article was originally published on Women’s Health AU by Nikolina Ilic

    Nikolina Ilic

    Nikolina is the web-obsessed Digital Editor at Men’s and Women’s Health, where she covers news, fitness, health, style, travel and pretty-much everything else. A lover of boxing, she was previously a Digital Editor at GQ and Vogue magazine and has contributed to Vogue Living and The Australian. She specialises in digital marketing, social media and branded and editorial content creation. More

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    Start The Year Right With This Do-Anywhere New Year’s Day Workout

    Happy New Year! Whether or not fitness made it onto your New Year’s resolution list for 2023, starting your year with a workout is setting yourself up for success. Why? Because you’ll feel like you accomplished something, which will make you feel good about yourself. And when your confidence is high, so is your productivity. So you’ll start the year kicking ass and taking names with this New Year’s Day workout.
    Plus, if last night got a little too festive, know this: Moving your body stimulates your metabolism and lymph system, helping your body metabolise toxins more quickly. Your head will thank you – just be sure to drink plenty of water.
    The New Year’s Day Workout
    Still on holiday with no access to a gym? Or just no inclination to leave the house? This full-body workout by trainer and strength and conditioning specialist Ros Flint requires no equipment and very little space.
    READ MORE: This Cardio Abs Workout Takes Only 20 Minutes But Works All Your Major Muscles
    How It Works
    The workout is divided into two circuits. Starting with Circuit 1, do the moves in order, for the number of reps shown, with as little rest as possible between moves. Once you’ve completed all moves, rest for a full minute, then start again. Do the circuit three times total. Once you’ve done Circuit 1 three times, rest for a minute, then repeat the same pattern with Circuit 2.
    New Year’s Day Workout Circuit 1
    Air Squats | REPS: 15
    Stand tall, feet about shoulder width apart. Sit your hips back to lower into a squat, then squeeze your bum to return to start. That’s one rep.

    READ MORE: Exactly How To Train Like Kim Engelbrecht
    Hip Thrusts | REPS: 20
    Lie on your back, knees bent, feet about hip width apart, arms at your sides. Squeeze your bum to raise your hips until your body forms a straight line to your knees, then lower until your bum is just off the floor. That’s one rep.

    Plank In and Out |REPS: 12
    Get in high plank (top of a push-up position) with tummy tight and hands in line with shoulders. Jump your feet in towards your chest and back out again. That’s one rep.

    Skater Jumps |REPS: 20
    Stand with feet apart, knees slightly bent and tummy tight. Jump to the side, landing softly with one leg crossed in front of the other and reach down to your front foot with the opposite hand. That’s one rep. Immediately jump sideways in the other direction. Continue alternating.

    READ MORE: 4 Core Moves That’ll Create A Stronger Body All Over
    New Year’s Day Workout Circuit 2
    Shoulder Taps | REPS: 30
    Get in high plank, tummy tight, hands in line with shoulders. Without letting your hips sway, touch your one hand to your opposite shoulder, then return to start. That’s one rep. Repeat with the opposite hand to opposite shoulder. Continue alternating.

    Tap Push ups | REPS: 10
    Start at the top of a push-up position. Lower your body all the way to the floor. Tap your hands forward, extending your arms fully. Then place your hands back under your shoulders and push back up to start. That’s one rep.

    Toe Reaches | REPS: 20
    Lie on your back, legs extended straight up, 90 degrees to the floor, tummy tight and lower back flat against the floor. Using your abs, NOT pulling with your neck, peel your shoulders off the ground and reach up to touch your fingers to your toes. Slowly lower back to start. That’s one rep.

    In and Out Squat Jumps | REPS: 15
    Start in a wide squat, legs about a metre apart, thighs parallel to the floor, chest up, bum and tummy tight. From here, jump up and land back in a squat, but with legs close together. Jump back to start. That’s one rep. Continue jumping your legs in and out quickly, landing in a squat each time.

    This workout is extracted from Ros’s brand new body-transformation e-book. To buy the book and get the full programme, contact her on Instagram. More

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    Tone Up The Fun Way With This Strength And Cardio Dance Workout

    The best workout is one that doesn’t actually feel like a workout at all, but rather feels like you’re just having a good time. And that kind of fun fitness sesh is what group fitness instructor and Next Fitness Star finalist Botle Kaymaba specialises in. Case in point: This high-energy cardio dance workout. “It’s a cardio jam session that incorporates aerobic movements as well as freestyle dancing,” says Botle. “It’s a great cardio burner workout that will make you feel good, proud and confident at the end of the session.”

    READ MORE: This 17-Day Slimdown Plan Will Help Get You Back In Shape

    How It Works

    Start with the cardio workout. Pump up the volume on the video below and follow along with Botle or simply freestyle. “Just listen to the music and move to the beat,” says Botle. Feel free to play the song more than once. When you’ve warmed up, move on to the strength circuit. Do all sets of each move before proceeding to the next. Once you’ve finished your last set of the third move, you’re done.

    Cardio warm-up

    Pump up the volume and follow along with Botle… 

    READ MORE: Try These Exercises To Build A Stronger, Bigger Butt

    For the next workout, you’ll need: A stability ball and a resistance band

    The Cardio Dance Workout

    1. Lateral Raises

    Reps: 8-25

    Sets: 2-3

    Stand on the resistance band. Hold the tip of the band with palms facing your thighs. Lift your arms sideways to should height and back down to start. That’s one rep.

    2. Overhead Tricep Extensions

    Reps: 4

    Sets: 2

    Grab the ends of the resistance band with each hand and stand on the middle of the band with your feet. Pull the band up over your shoulders so that your elbows are pointed forward. Extend your arms upwards until they’re straight, hold for eight counts, then return to start. That’s one rep. Rest for 10 seconds between reps

    READ MORE: Just These Two Workouts Make A Killer Six-Week Workout Routine

    3. Stability Ball Plank With Single Leg Lift

    Reps: 10-12

    Sets: 3

    Lie on your belly on a stability ball, then walk your hands out so the ball is underneath your shins and your hands are in line with your shoulders. Draw your belly button towards your spine to engage your abs – this will help keep your spine straight and your body stabilised. Raise one leg straight behind you, then slowly lower it back to start. Keep your pelvis stable.

    Watch Botle perform the moves: 

    [embedded content] More

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    This Cardio Abs Workout Takes Only 20 Minutes But Works All Your Major Muscles

    If strengthening and sculpting your core is what you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. This cardio abs workout works all over, strengthening your torso so you have a healthier skeleton, too. Feel free to add it to your regular fitness routine or up the ante and complete the entire four-week workout plan (you read that right!) for an even more hardcore sweat test.
    20-Minute Cardio Abs Workout
    Time: 20 minutes
    Equipment: mat
    Good for: abs
    Instructions: Complete the prescribed number of sets and reps for each move, resting for one minute in between sets, then immediately continue to the next exercise.
    Move 1: Scapulla Pushup

    How to: Start on all fours. Spread shoulder blades wide across back like you’re trying to imprint a bra line on the ceiling, and then squeeze shoulder blades together as you lower chest toward mat without bending your arms. That’s one rep. Complete the number of reps designated below and then move on to the next exercise.
    Week 1: 4 sets of 8 repsWeek 2: 4 sets of 12 repsWeek 3: 5 sets of 8 repsWeek 4: 5 sets of 12 rep
    READ MORE: This Weighted Abs Workout Will Sculpt Your Stomach Like No Other
    Move 2: Plank Jacks

    How to: Start in a plank position. Hop feet out slightly wider than shoulders, then hop them back together. Keep hips level. That’s one rep. Complete the number of reps designated below and then move on to the next exercise.
    Week 1: 4 sets of 30 secondsWeek 2: 4 sets of 45 secondsWeek 3: 5 sets of 30 secondsWeek 4: 5 sets of 45 second
    Move 3: Kneeling Pushup to Bird Dog

    How to: Begin in a knee plank, tail bone tucked under, index fingers pointing straight forward, and fingers spread wide. Lower down, pulling shoulders away from ears, elbows slightly in toward the ribs. Press up quickly, this time lifting knees off the ground as you do and reaching left arm forward to shoulder height and right leg back to hip height. Lower back to knee plank. That’s one rep. Alternate which arm/leg you lift after each pushup until you’ve completed the designated number of reps below then move on to the next exercise.
    Week 1: 4 sets of 8 repsWeek 2: 4 sets of 12 repsWeek 3: 5 sets of 8 repsWeek 4: 5 sets of 12 reps
    READ MORE: Tone Your Arms And Abs At The Same Time With This 15-Minute Workout
    Move 4: Stretch Jump to Plank

    How to: Start standing in the middle of your mat with feet together and hands at sides. Swing hands overhead and take a tiny hop straight up off the mat. Land and immediately bend knees, folding forward to place hands on floor. Jump legs back to land in plank position. Quickly hop feet forward again to meet hands. Stand and swing arms back overhead to take another tiny hop straight up off mat. That’s one rep. Complete the number of reps designated below and then move on to the next exercise.
    Week 1: 4 sets of 12 repsWeek 2: 4 sets of 15 repsWeek 3: 5 sets of 12 repsWeek 4: 5 sets of 15 rep
    Move 5: Side Plank With Elbow Twist

    How to: Start in a side plank with feet flexed, left foot stacked on top of right, upper body propped on right forearm, elbow underneath shoulder, and left hand behind head. Rotate at waist to bring left elbow down to touch mat. Keep hips high and lower body stable. Return to start. That’s one rep. Do as many reps as possible for the time allotted below and then alternate sides for each set.
    Week 1: 4 sets of 30 secondsWeek 2: 4 sets of 45 secondsWeek 3: 5 sets of 30 secondsWeek 4: 5 sets of 45 second
    This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com  More