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Transform Your Core With This No-Equipment 10-Minute Ab Workout
Category Archives: Health
11 Best Oblique Ab Exercises for Women Who Want a Toned Core
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a toned core? If you’re anything like us, it’s probably Jillian Michaels's midsection or J.Lo's crazy carved core.
To get a core as sculpted as these fit AF celebs, it’s going to take more than crunches and sit-ups—which only strengthen the rectus abdominis muscles (aka the washboard muscles). Rather, you’re also going to have to strengthen your internal and external obliques, explains certified personal trainer Dennys Lozada of RSP Nutrition. “The oblique muscles are actually the largest of all your ab muscles, so if you ignore them and focus only on sit-ups and crunches, your core routine is not efficient nor effective.”
The obliques are the muscles responsible for those chiseled V lines. “They are made up of two different muscles, the internal obliques and external obliques, which work together to help you perform a variety of different functions including bending forward, twisting sideways, and rotating to the left or right,” Lozada says.
Strong internal and external obliques are also essential for injury prevention, especially as you get older, Grayson Wickham, physical therapist, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and founder of Movement Vault tells Health. “They protect your lower back, create stability around your midsection (which helps prevent falls), and allow you to move safely in multiple directions.”
Ready to start strengthening these sexy-looking, injury-preventing obliques? Try the 11 best oblique exercises below, courtesy of top trainers. (No gear? No problem. Most of the moves below are oblique exercises without equipment.)
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Standing side crunch
“Not only does this movement target the external obliques, but it also works on hip stability,” says pilates instructor Rachel Piskin, co-founder of ChaiseFitness. And because you have to squeeze your butt to keep your lower body still while performing a rep, you’re also strengthening your glutes.
How to do it: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent. Lace your fingers behind your head so that your elbows are pointing to the sides. When you’re ready to begin, draw your belly button in toward your spine and make sure your ribs aren’t flaring out. Move your right elbow toward your right hip for a count of four, pause, then lift back up to starting position for a count of four. That’s one rep. Repeat 10 times before switching to the left side.
Slow bicycle crunch
Bicycle crunch, but make it slo-mo. That’s the gist with this twist on a classic oblique ab exercise. “In my opinion, this movement is the ultimate test in core stability and control,” Piskin says.
The goal with this movement is form, not speed. “With each rotation, check your form and think about not only bringing the elbow to the opposite knee but lifting the opposite shoulder off the mat for maximum muscle engagement,” she says.
How to do it: Begin by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet planted on the ground. Minimize the space between your back and the mat by drawing your belly button toward your spine. Lace your fingers under your head, elbows pointed out.
Lift your head, shoulders, and upper back off the mat. Take four counts to rotate your left elbow to your right knee. Return to the mat on a count of two. That’s one rep. Switch sides, and continue alternating as if you’re very slowly pedaling a bicycle. Aim for 20 total reps.
RELATED: The 8 Best Lower Ab Exercises for That Hard to Tone Spot
Standard side plank
Zack Daley, certified personal trainer and training manager at Tone House, swears by this oblique move. “This exercise really activates the internal obliques, and you will also work the rest of your core.”
While you’re performing it, Daley has one major tip: “Don’t let your chest turn toward the ground. Stay open to whichever direction you're facing to reap the true benefits.”
How to do it: Start lying down on your side with one forearm flat on the ground directly under your shoulder and your feet stacked on top of each other. Engage your core to lift your hips off the ground until your body is in a straight line from head to toe. Keep the non-supporting arm up with your hand above or behind your head. Try to hold that straight body position for 30 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side.
Side plank with reach through
While the plank is an OG ab-burner, the side plank is basically the definition of an oblique ab exercise. Add the snazzy reach through and you’ll also be targeting the upper back, Piskin says.
How to do it: In right side plank position, extend your left arm with fingers pointed toward the ceiling. Tighten your lower ab muscles and brace your entire core. Rotate your left fingers around your body and touch beneath your right hip. That’s one rep. Do three reps on that side, then switch. Work up to 10 reps per side.
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Front plank knee to elbow
“This move is an internal oblique exercise and an external oblique exercise,” Daley says, “but it also works the glutes, hip flexors, and shoulders.”
The goal here is to draw your knee to your elbow on the same side. However, tight hips and/or a weak core will make that difficult to do with good form. If you can’t draw your knee up that high in a controlled manner—aka without rocking your hips side to side—go only as high as you can, he suggests.
How to do it: Start in push-up position, then lower to your forearms so your elbows are directly under your shoulders. Keeping your back flat and your core engaged, draw your left knee up to tap your left elbow. Return your left leg to starting position. That’s one rep. Repeat on the other side, then continue to alternate from left to right for a total of 16 to 20 repetitions.
Spiderman push-up
Once you’ve got the front plank knee to elbow down, kick it up a notch with the spiderman push-up.
You already know that push-ups are seriously effective for strengthening your triceps, chest, core, and shoulders. Well, this variation lets you target your obliques at the same time, Lozada says.
If you can’t comfortably complete five standard push-ups in a row, try this with your knees on the floor.
How to do it: Start in push-up position with your hands directly under your shoulders. Bend your elbows as if you’re doing a push-up. As you lower your body toward the floor, lift your right leg off the floor, open up that right hip, and draw your right knee up to touch the outside of your right elbow. Return to push-up position. That’s one rep. Repeat on the left side. Aim to complete three sets of 10 reps.
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Banded anti-rotation twist
This movement will force you to twist your core against resistance, Lozada says. Translation: You can get a serious ab burn in mere minutes. As with most resistance band exercises, your best bet is to start with little resistance and progress to a harder band if needed.
How to do it: To set up, grab a resistance band and tie a knot in one end around a vertical post (the inside of a squat rack works well) so it sits just below shoulder height. The more resistance in the band, the harder the exercise will be.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart with the right side of your body toward the post. Pull the band in front of you with both hands so that it’s even with the middle of your chest. Take a step or two away from the post to create more tension in the band.
Brace your core, straighten your arms in front of you, and twist your body away from the post. Your hips should stay facing forward; only your core and shoulders are rotating. Pause, then reverse the movement to return to the starting position. That’s one rep. Do eight reps on one side, then switch sides.
Single-arm farmer's carry
When you think of functional movements, you probably think about the air squat or the deadlift. But the single-arm farmer's carry is a movement you probably do almost every day: carrying groceries from the car, lugging your briefcase to work, or hauling a duffle bag through the airport.
If you keep the weight close to your body while carrying it—as opposed to swinging it all over the place—you’ll really be targeting your obliques, Lozada says. Bonus: You’ll also be strengthening your grip, forearms, shoulders, traps, and legs.
How to do it: Grab a heavy dumbbell or kettlebell in your right hand and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the weight at your right hip. Tuck your hips to engage your core. Focusing on keeping your shoulders square and the weight close to your body, walk about 25 yards. Turn around and walk back. Rest as needed and repeat on the oppposite side.
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Half moon pose
If you do yoga, chances are there are some oblique-sculpting moves in your flow, says Bethany Lyons, founder and CEO of Lyons Den Power Yoga. The half moon pose is a full-body movement that’ll improve your balance, strengthen your obliques, and tone your thighs and tush too.
How to do it: Get into Warrior II by stepping your feet wide, turning your right leg out 90 degrees, and raising your arms to the sides.
Bend your right knee slightly, then transfer your weight forward onto your right front foot, lifting your left leg in the air. Place your right hand on a block or the floor for support or up the balance ante and have both hands airborne. Engage your legs and core. Lift your eyes toward your top hand. Press your left heel back and flex those toes toward your face, keeping the leg parallel to the floor.
Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.
Hanging knee raise with twist
Ready for an oblique exercise that’s a little more difficult? If you have a pull-up bar, try a hanging knee raise with a twist, suggests certified strength and conditioning specialist and chiropractor Allen Conrad.
How to do it: Grab the pull-up bar so that your hands are slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Start by hanging from the bar with a straight back, engaged core, and legs together. Then, bend your knees and bring them up so that your thighs are parallel with the ground.
Pull down on the bar to engage your lats and shoulders and slowly rotate your torso so that your knees come to the right. Then, windshield wiper them to the left. That's one rep. If you start swinging all over the place, drop from the bar and reset. Aim for 10 total reps.
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Pallof press
This movement, which takes place on your knees, is deceivingly hard. But physical therapist Corinne Croce, co-founder of Body Evolved in New York City, says it requires some serious core stabilization. “This move requires that both the internal and external obliques are activated and engaged."
How to do it: Kneeling, grab onto a resistance band that is looped around a column or a cable and hold it at the middle of your chest with both hands. Squeeze your glutes, then press the cable away from your chest so your arms are fully extended. Your core should be tight and engaged; don't let your arms get pulled away from midline. Return to the starting position with control. That’s one rep. Aim for 10 to 12 reps total.
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This Is the Absolute Worst Time of the Day to Work Out
Once upon a time, I used to be obsessed with a spin instructor who taught at 7:30 p.m. twice a week. Even though I ended work at 5:30 p.m., I still waited two hours to get my sweat on—and don’t get me wrong, class was amazing. I was always in the greatest mood, and the rush of endorphins was just what I needed… until I tried to get to bed a few hours later, only to stare at the ceiling instead of fall asleep.
That’s right: It turns out the time you hit the gym can play a huge role when it comes to your sleep cycle. Studies have shown that vigorous exercise less than three hours before bedtime can lead to delayed sleep onset. “When you start to move, your heart beats faster to pump more blood to your muscles. This increases blood flow overall, including the blood flow to your brain—and greater blood flow to your brain increases energy and alertness,” says nutritionist and exerice physiologist Gabbi Berkow, RD.
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The other thing is, your body also releases several hormones when you exercise, including adrenaline and norepinephrine. “Since exercise places physical ‘stress’ on your body (in a good way!), it also increases circulating levels of hormones that are released during the stress response,” explains Berkow. “These hormones increase your heart rate, energy, and metabolism—all of which are helpful during exercise, but not conducive to falling asleep.”
After exercising, your body naturally goes through a cool-down period that brings your hormones back under control once activity stops. But the length can be different depending on the person. Some people can easily cool down within 30 minutes, while others take several hours… and clearly, I was the latter.
When should you go for a sweat session, then? Unfortunately, there's no one correct answer. “The best time of day to exercise is whenever you’re most consistent,” says Berkow. “You don’t see better results from working out in the morning, afternoon, or evening—you see the best results when you’re the most consistent.” So if you’re not a morning person, forcing yourself to wake up for a 6 a.m. run is probably not going to work on a regular basis.
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If the only time you can fit in a workout is 8 p.m. (and you're planning to turn in within three hours), all hope isn’t lost, assures Berkow. “The more intense the exercise, the harder it will be to fall asleep immediately after. For example, if you lift weights or do cardio right before bed, you may have some trouble falling asleep because your body is amped up from the intense exercise,” she cautions.
However, as long as it’s not done too close to bed, "exercise can actually help you fall asleep because it exerts energy," says Berkow. "Relaxing exercises like slow, flowing yoga and stretching can be done right before bed, and these can be helpful for falling asleep, since they calm your body and nervous system down."
As for the days you just can’t miss that late-night boxing class? Here's how to cool down faster. “Make sure you cool down and stretch right after your workout, as this will begin the process of helping your body calm down and return to normal,” says Berkow. “Take a warm, relaxing shower, and make a well-balanced dinner that combines at least 20 to 30 grams of protein, whole-grain carbohydrates, and green veggies. The combination of a hot shower and sitting down to a nutritious dinner helps get your body into a relaxed state.”
In addition, staying away from bright lights and phone screens for at least an hour before bed will also help, since the blue light from your phone inhibits the production of melatonin in your body—the hormone your body needs to regulate your circadian rhythm. By taking these precautions, you can hit up your favorite late evening class and still score the best sleep ever.
These Photos of Jennifer Lopez Pole Dancing Are Everything
If you thought Jennifer Lopez couldn't be any more badass, think again. The actress, dancer, and singer is adding yet another talent to her already colossal résumé: pole dancing.
Her S.O.-turned-Instagram-boyfriend Alex Rodriguez recently took to his Stories to share a couple videos of J.Lo working it on the pole as part of her training for her upcoming role in the film Hustler.
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Wearing nothing but a black sports bra, shorts and heels, Lopez is seen kicking her legs over around the pole and spinning like a seasoned pro. Naturally, "I've Had the Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing was playing in the background.
Photo: Instagram / @arod
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FYI, as fun and easy as J.Lo makes the whole thing look, pole dancing requires some serious strength and skill—so much so that the Global Association of International Sports Federation (GAISF) is thinking of turning it into an Olympic sport. "Pole Sports requires great physical and mental exertion; strength and endurance are required to lift, hold, and spin the body," GAISF said in a statement. "A high degree of flexibility is needed to contort, pose, demonstrate lines, and execute techniques."
That's why J.Lo isn't taking her training lightly. "It's very hard!" she said during a visit to Jimmy Kimme Live! earlier this month. "I have bruises everywhere. It's so hard. I have a lot of respect for people who do the pole. It's much more difficult than [professional dancing]. It's, like, acrobatic. It's different muscle groups and the things they do with their legs, upside down, I'm like, 'What? I can't… hold on. Can we do that part again?' It's hard!" (Inspired? Here are some of the reasons you should take a pole dancing class yourself.)
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What Exactly Is CrossFit—and Is It Actually Good for You?
CrossFit is like period sex. And not because they both have some serious—though admittedly different—health benefits. Rather, people typically fall into an “I love it” or “I hate it” camp for each.
Devotees of the “sport of functional fitness” (as CrossFit is known) claim it’s the best and fastest route to health, while skeptics point toward the risk of injury. As with most polarized subjects, that’s in part due to the fact that many people are a little bit fuzzy on the details of what CrossFit actually entails.
“There’s a lot of misconceptions around what CrossFit is,” says Dave Lipson, CrossFit Level Four Trainer and founder of Thundr Bro, an educational fitness platform. “People think it’s all what you see on TV, that it’s just the professional CrossFit Games athletes you see on ESPN, but it’s not.”
With that in mind, Health spoke to CrossFit experts to find out exactly what CrossFit training is, the benefits of CrossFit, and how to know whether or not CrossFit is for you.
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What is CrossFit training?
Chances are you’ve heard the generic yet succinct CrossFit definition: “constantly varied, functional movements, executed at high intensity.”
But what does that actually mean? “From an exercise perspective, CrossFit takes all aspects of fitness and sports, cherry picks the best, most effective, and most applicable to everyday life, and combines them together," says four-time CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning, founder of CrossFit Mayhem, a box—CrossFit speak for gym—in Cookeville, Tennessee.
In short, functional movements are those that mimic the things you do outside the gym: carry groceries from the car to the kitchen, pick up a baby or chair off the ground, climb stairs, get out of bed. “These functional movements reflect the best aspects of gymnastics, weightlifting, and monostructural [or cardio] exercise,” says Tony Carvajal, a CrossFit Level One Trainer and RSP Nutrition athlete.
Cardio? Check. Heavy lifts? Check. Mobility work, flexibility training, and body control? Check, check, and check. “It’s a workout program that integrates multiple sports and training regimens all in one,” Carvajal says.
What a CrossFit class is like
CrossFit isn't a franchise (like your local Pizza Hut); instead, it’s an affiliate, explains CrossFit Games commentator Tanya Wagner, a CrossFit Level Two Trainer at CrossFit Apex in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. “That means every box has its own individual programming and style. It’s not one-size-fits-all.” There are over 15,000 CrossFit boxes worldwide.
That said, generally, CrossFit classes last an hour, broken down into four different components: a warm-up, strength or skill, workout of the day or WOD, and cooldown or mobility session.
The warm-up is basically foreplay to the WOD. It’s meant to prepare your joints for the movements ahead. The strength component has one goal—you guessed it—to make you stronger, but it can take different forms. For example, you might be tasked with sets of one repitition of the maximum you can deadlift or six sets of three power snatches. A skill workout is intended to help you improve your ability to do a specific exercise, like double unders, toes to bars, or handstand walking. Typically, the skill that you work on will make an appearance in the WOD.
The WOD, which is also sometimes called a metcon (short for metabolic conditioning), is the meat and potatoes of CrossFit training. You'll perform a certain combination of exercises either for a set amount of time or until you've completed a specific number of reps. If you’re accustomed to 60 minutes of nonstop movement in your favorite bootcamp, you might be surprised to learn that most CrossFit workouts only last five to 15 minutes (and that anything longer is considered an endurance WOD).
There are so many possibilities for a WOD that you won't see many CrossFit workouts more than once at a gym. But there are a few benchmark workouts (which are usually named after women: Fran, Grace, Diane) and hero workouts (which are done in honor of fallen servicemen—the most famous is Murph), which can be used to track your progress over time and qualitatively show you that you’re improving, says Anthony Gustin, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and co-founder of Perfect Keto.
CrossFit training usually wraps up with a stretching and mobility session—or athletes will stretch on their own after a workout. For instance, after a “grippy” workout (think: pull-ups or jump rope), you might do a series of forearm stretches.
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The benefits of CrossFit
“Whether your fitness goal is to help you maintain your current fitness level, get just 1% fitter, lose weight, do a pull-up, or be able to lift a certain weight, CrossFit can help you reach it,” says Kyra Williams, a certified personal trainer and CrossFit Level One Trainer.
In fact, research backs up just how effective it really is. For example, a team of exercise physiologists out of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse found that women who performed two different CrossFit workouts burned over 12 calories per minute and maintained an elevated heart rate throughout the entire session.
CrossFit can also have positive mental and emotional effects, Gustin says. “It teaches people that they are capable of more than they think. Gaining mental toughness and pushing yourself to new heights in a CrossFit class can trickle down to other parts of your life and give you confidence to tackle the unknown.”
There's also the community aspect of CrossFit. Sure, you could do a CrossFit workout by yourself, but part of the magic happens in the box, says Clint Fisher, CrossFit Level One Trainer and co-owner of CrossFit Charleston. “There is just something that happens when you get like-minded people in the same room. You lift each other up. You become a family.”
Will I get injured if I try CrossFit?
Despite gruesome stories you may have heard, probably not. A 2018 study deemed CrossFit training "relatively safe compared with more traditional training modalities." The researchers wrote: “Over the past several years, CrossFit training has been scrutinized in the mainstream media because of the supposed high incidence of injuries; however, these statements seem not to be supported by empirical evidence.”
What about rhabdo? While rhabdomyolysis—a condition where the muscle tissue breaks down so severely that it can mess up the kidneys—is a real risk of any high-intensity workouts, it's no more common in CrossFit than any other workout, Lipson says. Plus, it's avoidable with smart coaching and thoughtful programming, he adds, not to mention listening to your body and building up workout intensity gradually.
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How do I know if CrossFit is for me?
Maybe you’ve heard CrossFit addicts swear the sport's for anyone. Or maybe you’ve noticed the age diversity on the official CrossFit Instagram. But CrossFit really is for anyone. “We have former football players working out with people in their 70s and 80s and new moms,” Lipson says.
How is that possible? While every workout will have suggested weights and movements, the majority of people at most CrossFit boxes do something called scaling. “Scaling allows anyone to complete the same workout simply by altering the weights and movements based on the athlete's ability in order to produce the same level of intensity,” explains Carvajal.
For example, if a workout calls for 50 reps of toes to bar, the coach might have one person scale it down to just 25 or another person just touch their knees to their elbows.
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How to get started with CrossFit training
First, check the official CrossFit affiliate map to find box locations near you. Then do some research.
“The longer the gym has been around, the better," Carvajal says. "If a gym has been around at least five to six years, that’s always a good sign.” He also recommends looking up how educated the trainers are. “Most gyms will have the coaches' credentials on their website. The more certifications and accolades the better.”
But credentials aren’t everything. A coach's actual leadership style, communication skills, and emphasis on form and safety in class are what Wagner says matter most. “You should find a place that you personally feel comfortable getting all your questions answered.”
Don’t be afraid to box shop either. “Every box has a different community and vibe,” says Lipson. “Some are younger, some are older. Some are more competitive, while others have a more community vibe.” If you’re not vibing with one particular CrossFit space, try another.
Once you find a box, the only real way to know if you like CrossFit is to try it. Like we said: Just like period sex.
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This 6-Step Yoga Flow Will Open Up Your Tight Hips
On average, we sit for about 12 hours every day. “Yikes” is right. “Whether it’s at a desk or in the car, when people sit for most of the day, they may develop tight hip flexors. These muscles attach to the lumbar spine and could create lower-back pain when they are shortened,” explains physical therapist Erica Anne Meloe, owner of Velocity Physiotherapy in New York City and author of Why Do I Hurt?
So what can you do to help those suffering hip muscles? First, make sure you’re getting up and walking around throughout the day—researchers suggest at least once every 30 minutes. But to further help, try this hip-opening sequence created specifically for Health readers by Peloton yoga instructor Kristin McGee. “These poses take a 360-degree approach, helping to stretch and strengthen the hips from all angles—front, side, and back,” says McGee.
Run through them three to four times a week, and you’ll feel so much looser.
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Cow Face pose
Get onto all fours. Cross right leg over left, then sit back down between your heels or on a block, with knees stacked. Extend left arm toward ceiling, then bend left elbow, bringing palm to touch the center of upper back; then bend right arm behind back, trying to grasp fingers of left hand. Stay here for 5–8 breaths, breathing evenly; then switch sides and repeat. To make it more comfortable, you can also sit on a blanket instead of a block.
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Pigeon pose
From Cow Face pose, slide right leg forward onto the floor, placing right shin parallel to the front of the mat, and slide left knee on floor behind you. Lower left thigh to mat with top of left foot facing down. Stay upright, with torso over hips and hips square to the front of the mat. Remain here for 5–8 full breaths, then bring left foot toward right and repeat on opposite side.
RELATED: 5 Best Yoga Poses for Runners
Bound Angle pose
Sit on mat with soles of feet together and knees bent out to sides. Interlace fingers around feet. Inhaling, press knees down toward mat while sitting up tall; bow forward slightly to get a deeper stretch. Stay here for 8–10 breaths.
Ankle to Knee pose
From Bound Angle pose, cross right knee over left ankle and bring bottom leg in so right ankle is over left knee, with shins stacked. Bring both palms to floor in front of you, leaning forward slightly. Hold here for 5–8 breaths.
Half Reclining Hero’s pose
Kneel on mat with knees together. Sit back on heels, and then extend right leg straight out in front of you. Slide left foot slightly wider than knee with the top of left foot on the floor and big toe angled in, allowing butt to rest on floor. Then place hands on floor behind you and lean back, bringing elbows and forearms to floor behind you. From here, continue to lower all the way to the floor or as far as you can go without pain or discomfort; cross elbows overhead. Stay here for 5–8 breaths.
Lizard pose
Begin in Downward Dog with hands on floor in front of shoulders, legs extended, and hips lifted in an inverted V. Step right foot to the outside of right hand, then lower both elbows to mat, keeping right knee next to right side. Keep left leg active, pressing back with left heel, and hips level, without allowing them to sag. Stay here for 8–10 breaths, then step right foot back. Lift hips to ceiling as a break, and repeat on left side.
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I Tried an Xtend Barre Class (on Camera!)—Here’s What the Workout Is Really Like
Watch our HIIT-loving, marathon-running fitness editor pulse her heart out.
People Are Editing Out Their Hip Dips on Instagram—but This Woman Refuses To
You know hip dips—these are the inward curves above each hip bone that most of us have. Some people have hip dips that are more visible than others, and lots of users on social media edit theirs out, viewing them as a body flaw when these curves are actually totally normal.
So it's refreshing to come across an influencer who is no longer hiding her hip dips and instead celebrating them—and taking to Instagram to demonstrate why others should too.
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On Tuesday, London-based influencer Danielle Mansutti—best known for her beauty tips and enviable travel itinerary—shared a message about her hip dips, which used to be one of her biggest body insecurities.
“HIP DIPS!” she wrote. “Something that so many women (and men) have, yet something so hidden away. I’ve had hip dips for as long as I can remember, and have spent the majority of my life feeling like I was the only one in the world who had them.”
Mansutti copped to spending a considerable amount of time editing out her hip dips from social photos, in an attempt to fit in with other influencers. But she eventually realized how dangerous this was—making other women who have hip dips view them as unattractive and leading to a skewed idea of what a normal body looks like.
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“We do need to remember not to compare our bodies to bodies that have been enhanced,” she reminded her followers. “If you have hip dips, just like I do, guess what – it’s normal! Sometimes I love mine and sometimes I don’t, but I’ve accepted that they are a part of me and are a normal thing.”
If you’re a member of what she calls her “hip dip crew,” try not to view them unflattering, and definitely don't edit them out of your social images. Instead, take Mansutti's advice to embrace and love your body—which is perfect as is.
Fitbit Is Having a HUGE Valentine’s Day Sale on Some of Their Most Popular Trackers
In the market for a new Fitbit (or have someone you still need to find a Valentine's Day gift for)? You're in luck: The brand is slashing prices on some of their most popular trackers. From now until February 16, three Fitbit trackers are up to $40 off on Fitbit.com and Amazon.com. New Year's resolution to get more steps—check!
To buy: from $129, fitbit.com and amazon.com
• Fitbit Charge 3 ($129-$149; fitbit.com and amazon.com). With a touchscreen, smartphone notifications, and seven days of battery life, this remains one of Fitbit's most popular trackers, if not its most high-tech—and the current sale makes it a lot more affordable. In addition to a discount on the classic black and blue gray colorways, you can also save $20 on the slightly more expensive special edition hues.
• Fitbit Versa ($169-$199; fitbit.com and amazon.com). The Versa is an incredible fitness tool for people who want a watch to help them through their toughest sweat sessions. You'll get 24/7 heart rate monitoring, personalized onscreen workouts, and four days of battery life. Also good: The ability to stream more than 300 songs right from your wrist.
• Fitbit Ionic with GPS ($230; fitbit.com and amazon.com). The seriously high-tech Fitbit Ionic is the most heavily discounted tracker on this list at $40 off of its original retail price. It boasts a ton of impressive features, including dynamic personal coaching, continuous heart rate monitoring, multiple sport modes, and a water-resistant material that lets you swim in it up to 50 meters. All with a built-in GPS so you can track your distance covered and route maps.
Katie Austin Demonstrates How to Fix Your Form for 3 Medicine Ball Moves
All you need is a medicine ball and a little bit of floor space.