Easy Bikini Body Exercises To Keep Your Body In Shape
Author: Martin Reed Date posted: Sep 22, 2008 Article views: 91 Wordcount: 552 Ezine Ready
Many women work hard in the build up to summer to develop a swimsuit body that they can feel comfortable in. As the summer progresses though, it can be easy to let all that hard work slip. A few easy exercises though, can help ensure you are beach body tones all year round.
Flat Stomach
Crunches are a brilliant way to keep your stomach toned - you just need to ensure you are doing them correctly.
To get the most benefit from stomach crunches, lie straight on the floor, bend your legs and keep your feet flat. You should then put your hands behind your head and curl upwards from your shoulders using only your stomach muscles. Keep your abs tightened, and slowly release them to roll your body flat back to the floor.
Lifting your legs will help work the lower abdomen. Again, lie on your back and slowly lift your legs to an angle of around 45 degrees. You should then hold your legs in this position for around ten seconds before slowly lowering them back down to the ground.
Thighs and Behind
Wall squats will help tone your behind as well as your upper leg muscles. To do this effectively, stand around eighteen inches from a strong wall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Then lean back until your back is against the wall and slide down until you reach a sitting position. You should hold this for as long as possible - aim for a minimum of thirty seconds.
After you have held the position, slide yourself back up the wall until you are standing again. Keeping your abdomen tight during the exercise will result in even more benefits.
You can develop your inner thigh area by using a ball. Place it between your knees when you are sitting down in a chair and squeeze the ball repeatedly with your inner thigh muscles.
Arms and Shoulders
Light dumbbells or heavy household items can be great at toning and building muscle in the arms and shoulders. Simply hold the weight in one hand and raise your arm over your head, straight up with the inside of your arm facing the side of your head. You can support yourself by placing your other hand just under your elbow. You should lower and lift the weight behind your head slowly. Repeat for your other arm.
Triceps exercises need no equipment. All you need to do is sit on the edge of a sturdy chair and stretch out your legs in front of you. Place your hands to either side of you on the chair. Then, slide your bottom off the chair and rest your weight on your heels. Slowly lower your body until it almost touches the floor, and lift yourself back up without locking your elbows. Repeat.
Burn off Your Excesses
The beach can be a great way of burning fat and building stamina. Jogging on loose sand and exercising in the ocean increase resistance against your body and also improve the cardio aspect of your exercise. Swimming is also beneficial as it has a low impact effect on the body.
Just remember that rest days are just as important as workout days. It is important that you give your body at least a day off between sessions for it to recover.
Martin Reed is the developer and owner of Female Forum - an online community for women. He also blogs about how to develop a successful online community.
