How to trim your mum tum 2 – the plank
‘The most effective exercise for toning up your tummy after having a baby is the plank,’ says Melinda Nicci, a fitness consultant specialising in pre- and post-natal exercise and founder of fitness programme, baby2body.
The plank is even more effective at flab busting than crunches. Here’s what you need to do:
- Lie flat on your front.
- Bend your arms and place your hands at either side of your chest, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
- Keeping your back flat, push yourself up onto your knees so that your upper body is off the floor, supporting yourself on your hands and knees.
- Keep your back flat and pull in your tummy as high as possible as if you’re trying to draw it up to your spine. (Do the plank in front of a mirror if you can to check that your back’s straight.)
- Breathe normally and hold this position for up to one minute.
- Lie back down on your front to rest, then repeat twice.
‘Aim to do the plank at least five times a week,’ says Melinda’ and you should see an effect within four to five weeks. But if you want to really get your body sculpted, ‘you have to do some form of cardiovascular exercise and eat healthily,’ she adds.
Wait until at least six weeks after the birth of your baby, longer if you had complications or a caesarean, and always check with your GP before you start any exercise.
Community
Share your pregnancy fitness tips here
Print this article
