How to Get a Six Pack without Crunches

7 Core Moves That Are More Fun Than Situps

Shake up your abs routine with these moves, inspired from popular gym classes, belly dancing, even burlesque
By Erin Hicks fitbie
 

Pelvic Tilt

7 Core Moves That Are More Fun Than Situps // man on fours with arched back © John Hamel

Image: John Hamel

Where we've seen it before: Pilates

How to do it: Go on all fours so your back is in a neutral position. Tilt the pelvis as if you're bringing your pubic bone towards your belly button. Exhale and draw in the abdominals. "This causes the pelvis to tilt," says Mallett. "As you pull your abs in, you activate the deep abdominal muscles that cause the pelvis to tilt."

How many reps: Do 10 to 15. "It's about focusing on the form, not the quantity," says Mallett.

Why it works: "While you inhale, you're working your whole abdominal core—the same muscles you work while doing a situp," says Mallet. But what makes this move different from the traditional situp can be explained in one breath. "During the exhale, you activate the tranverse muscles—the deepest muscles in your abdominals that often get neglected with incorrect form when you're doing the situp," says Mallett.

Make it harder: Add a small ball between your legs and draw the pelvic floor up like an elevator to intensify the abs.

Search: How to perform a pelvic tilt

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