Oblique Workout for Toned Abs

Since I came back from all of my travels I've been hitting the gym again hard core and am focusing on total body conditioning as bikini season is right around the corner.  Short term goals – trips to Punta Cana and St. Thomas!  But in general, I'm a fitness junkie and love having a tightly toned bod so I thought I'd let you in on some tips.  Looking at abs engulfed by love handles?  Don't worry, you still have time! The abdominals are made up of four main muscle groups and in order to have a completely toned stomach, it should come as no surprise that you need to target them all.  Celebrity trainer to Anne Hathaway and Heidi Klum, David Kirsch credits oblique crunches to helping Heidi Klum get back on the runway immediately after giving birth.

Start off by… doing a set of basic crunches to get your core warmed up, then begin focusing on your obliques.  ”Lay on your right side with knees bent, right arm on the floor in front of you, left hand behind your head,”  Kirsch explains. ”Crunch, lifting your knees straight up and bringing your left shoulder toward them; pause, lower and repeat.”

Make sure you’re engaging your lower abs and breathing in through your nose as your legs go down and out through your mouth as they come up.  Try doing three sets of 12 crunches on each side three times a week.