After giving birth, many new moms are eager to regain their pre-pregnancy shape and tighten their stomach muscles.
While it’s important to give your body time to heal, there are safe and effective ab workouts that can help you achieve a stronger and flatter stomach post-pregnancy. These exercises are quick and easy to do, allowing you to fit them into your busy schedule as a new mom.
1. Pelvic Tilts
Pelvic tilts are a gentle exercise that target the deep abdominal muscles. To perform this workout:.
– Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
– Slowly tilt your pelvis towards your belly button, flattening your lower back against the floor.
– Hold for a few seconds and then release.
– Repeat 10-15 times.
2. Diaphragmatic Breathing
Diaphragmatic breathing engages your deep core muscles and helps strengthen your abdominal wall. Here’s how to do it:.
– Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
– Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
– Breathe in deeply through your nose, allowing your belly to rise.
– Exhale through your mouth, allowing your belly to fall.
– Aim for 10-15 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing each day.
3. Plank
The plank is a fantastic exercise for strengthening your entire core. Follow these steps:.
– Start in a push-up position, with your hands directly under your shoulders and your toes touching the floor.
– Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
– Engage your core muscles by drawing your belly button towards your spine.
– Hold this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or as long as you can maintain proper form.
– Repeat 3-5 times.
4. Bridge
The bridge exercise targets your abdominal muscles, glutes, and lower back. Here’s how to do it:.
– Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
– Place your arms by your sides, with your palms facing down.
– Squeeze your glutes and lift your hips off the ground, creating a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
– Hold for a few seconds and then lower your hips back down.
– Repeat 10-15 times.
5. Side Plank
The side plank primarily targets the oblique muscles, which help to give your stomach a toned appearance. Follow these steps:.
– Start by lying on your side, with your elbow directly under your shoulder and your bottom knee bent for support.
– Lift your hips off the ground, creating a straight line from head to heels.
– Engage your core muscles and hold this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
– Repeat on the other side.
6. Seated Russian Twist
The seated Russian twist works your obliques and can help trim your waistline. Here’s how to do it:.
– Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
– Lean back slightly, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
– Clasp your hands together in front of your chest.
– Twist your torso to one side, bringing your clasped hands towards the ground beside your hip.
– Return to the center and then twist to the other side.
– Repeat 10-15 times on each side.
7. Reverse Crunch
The reverse crunch targets the lower abdominal muscles and helps to flatten your stomach. Follow these steps:.
– Lie on your back with your arms by your sides and your legs raised, knees bent at a 90-degree angle.
– Engage your core and lift your hips off the ground, bringing your knees towards your chest.
– Slowly lower your legs back to the starting position.
– Repeat 10-15 times.
8. Bicycle Crunches
Bicycle crunches engage your entire core, including your obliques and lower abs. Here’s how to do them:.
– Lie on your back with your knees bent and hands behind your head.
– Lift your head, neck, and shoulders off the ground.
– Bring your right elbow towards your left knee while straightening your right leg.
– Repeat on the other side, bringing your left elbow towards your right knee while straightening your left leg.
– Continue alternating sides for 10-15 reps on each side.
9. Standing Side Bend
The standing side bend targets the oblique muscles and helps to create a smaller waistline. Follow these steps:.
– Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands on your hips.
– Gently bend to one side, lowering your hand towards your knee.
– Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
– Repeat 10-15 times on each side.
10. Scissor Legs
Scissor legs engage your lower abs and hip flexors. Here’s how to do them:.
– Lie on your back with your legs extended straight up towards the ceiling.
– Lower one leg towards the ground, keeping it a few inches off the floor.
– As you lower one leg, raise the other leg towards the ceiling.
– Continue alternating legs for 10-15 reps on each side.