Blame it on Priyanka Chopra or Katrina Kaif, but wanting to flaunt a flat tummy that looks great in any outfit is a dream of all young women in India. Thankfully, it is also very achievable! Simply stick to a balanced diet low in unhealthy fats and sugars, and try out these 8 super tummy-fat blasting exercises to get well toned abs in 4 weeks!

As the temperature rises, we all want to flaunt our flat tummies in waist grazing tank tops and cute little shorts. Whether you are wearing a formal shirt tucked in to your trousers, or are wearing a skin tight dress, the only way to look smart is to have a flat belly with no ‘love handles’ to cause you embarrassment. The only way to achieve a flat tummy is through regular 40 minute cardio exercises, coupled with abs exercises that work muscles in that specific area. Don’t forget – the right diet plays a very important role here too!

We have for you 8 simple exercises that will work out your mid-section and make you look hot in any outfit! Make sure you have a good exercise mat to support your body and also have a lightweight dumbbell (1.5 kg to 2.5kg) to do the exercises which require weights. Finish a 40 minute cardio workout which can be jogging, brisk walking, cycling or rowing and then do these tummy exercises 3 to 5 times a week for killer abs!

While 4 of these exercises are floor exercises which require no weights, the other 4 will use weight for some strength training to work those muscles extra hard. Try and follow the order these exercises are in for a more effective tummy workout that reduces risk to injury.

1.    Naukasana –

This is a common Yoga posture and works wonders on your belly. The method is simple and this exercise requires no weights.

How to do it?

Lie on the ground, with your back straight. Raise your hands above your head straight. Try and raise your upper body and lower body simultaneously to create a 30 degree angle with the floor on both ends. Hold the posture for 30 seconds. Breathe in as your lift your arms and legs off the ground and breathe out as you relax and bring them down again. Repeat 10 times.

Holding the posture tightens the upper and lower abs. The number of repetitions helps tone the muscles.

2.    Crunches –

This is one of the most popular exercises that work on the upper abs, helping you get a flat tummy faster. Adding more repetitions to each set as your stamina improves is a good idea. Try and do a minimum of 3 sets every day.

How to do it?

Lie on your back. Bend your knees and plant your feet firmly on the ground. Put your hands behind your head for extra support. Raise your upper body and try and bring your chin as close as possible to your knees. Breathe in as you raise your torso, hold the position for a few seconds, and breathe out as you lower your body back. Make sure that the movement here is coming from your stomach and don’t exert pressure on your arms to pull your head up. Keep your back as straight as possible to avoid any injuries.

The exercise tones the muscles of the upper abs. Do 8 reps in each set ad aim to do 3 sets.

3.    Bridging –

This exercise will stretch your abdominal muscles and tone them for a flatter tummy. This exercise is not recommended for those with lower backaches.

How to do it?

Lie flat on the ground and keep your hands by your sides. Bend your knees and keep your feet on the ground. Breathe in and raise your mid section off the ground, while keeping your hands and feet firmly planted on the ground. As you form a bridge from your knees to your upper body off the ground, make sure you contract your abdominal muscles and gluts for a deeper impact. Hold the position for a few seconds and then gently lower your hips to touch the ground.

Repeat 8 times and aim to do a minimum of 3 sets. The stretch in your abs will tone the muscles and the slower and more deliberate your movements, the better the effects.

4.    Lying Torso Twists –

This is a simple exercise that works beautifully on the sides and oblique muscles. If you have love handles and want to get rid of them, this is the best exercise for you!

How to do it?

Lie on the ground and pull your knees to the chest by bending them. Your legs must be parallel to the ground, creating a ‘Z’ shape. Stretch out your arms to the side for a better balance. Now, slowly, contracting your abs, twist the hips to the right and try and bring your knees as close to the floor as possible, without actually touching the floor. Now, using the muscles of your abs again, bring your knees back up to starting position, and then twist them to the left side. Make sure the movements are not coming from your legs swinging, but from your abs muscles. Also, ensure that your shoulders never lift off the ground. Breathe in as you lower your knees to the ground on either side, and breathe out as you come back to the original position.

Do this exercise, by swinging your hips 5 times for each side. Do 3 sets of 10 reps each.

5.    Standing Oblique Crunches –

These exercises will require light weights. You can start with 1.5kg dumbbells and progress to heavier 2.5kg dumbbells as your muscles develop and your stamina improves.

How to do it?

Stand with your legs shoulder width apart. Hold the dumbbell in your left hand, and bear your body’s weight on the right leg. Stretch your left arm over your head to the right side, keeping the arm straight until you feel a stretch on your left side or oblique muscles. Crunch your midsection to the left by bringing the left knee up and the left elbow down, while keeping your abs muscles contracted.

Repeat 10 times on each side and then switch the side. You should aim for 2 sets. To train your core muscles more effectively, it is recommended that you gently tap the ball of the foot on the ground instead of putting the whole foot down after each rep.

6.    Upside Down Pendulum –

This exercise uses the weight of a dumbbell to work on your oblique muscles and abdominal muscles for a firmer and toned tummy.

How to do it?

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Hold a dumbbell in both your hands and raise your hands straight towards the ceiling. Now, bending at the waist and keeping knees slightly bend; bring your arms towards the ground facing forward. As your body comes closer to the ground, rotate your torso to crunch so that you swing to the left. Extend your arms to the left side – come back in the forward facing bent position – swing to rotate to the right to feel the crunch in your right side. Move smoothly like a pendulum, keeping all movements fluid. Finally, return hands to the overhead position and repeat again.

Do 8 reps in each set and aim for 2 sets. This exercise will work on your abs and sides perfectly, giving you that killer tummy you’d want to show off!

7.    Warrior Balance Crunch –

This exercise improves your balance and is a great workout for your abs. it is actually a good exercise for your lower body as well.

How to do it?

Stand with your feet together and hold a dumbbell in both hands. Extend out your arms forwards, take your weight on the right leg and extend your left leg back so that your body becomes parallel to the ground. To maintain your balance, you can bend the right knee slightly to help you bear your weight more evenly. Now, bend your elbows and bring them to the chest, and simultaneously bend the left knee and bring it to your chest as well as your arms and knee meet midway. Return to the original position of being parallel to the ground and repeat the exercise 6 times. Then bring back your body to the straight position with both feet on the ground, and lift your right leg off the ground and bear your weight on the left leg to repeat the exercise for the other side as well.

8.    Squat Sweep –

We end the workout with a simple exercise that uses squatting and sweeping for a more effective abs workout.

How to do it?

Stand with your feet slightly more than hip width apart. Hold a dumbbell in both hands, and lower your body in to the squat position. Keep your shoulders square and pull in your stomach. Move the weight towards your right hip, by twisting your torso. Then, bearing your weight on the right leg, push from the heels and out of the squatting position, sweep the weight diagonally across the body until it is over and above the left shoulder. Do 10 reps and then switch sides.

If you need to maintain a proper form, it might be a good idea to place a ball between your legs to ensure they stay planted on the ground and don’t move. All movements must come from the torso alone.