Recently, I’ve been concerned about my gut, and have been trying to incorporate more sit-ups into my usual workout routine. However, I’ve been feeling that it wasn’t enough, and decided to leaf through some of the old Men’s Health magazines I’ve got kicking around the apartment. That’s when I found the following three exercises, and while I’ve only been doing them for a little bit, they’re definitely helping out. They look simple, but I challenge you to do them first and then tell me they’re simple:

Side Bridge

Lie on your side with your forearm on the floor under your shoulder to prop you up, and your feet stacked. Contract your core and press your forearm against the floor to raise your hips until your body is straight from ankles to shoulders. Hold for 15 to 45 seconds, then repeat on the other side. Contract your abs and butt muscles forcefully to keep your body straight.

Plank with Diagonal Arm Lift

Assume a modified pushup position with your feet shoulder-width apart, forearms on the floor. Keeping your torso steady, raise your right arm for-ward and to the right, so that it points to 2 o’clock. Hold for 2 seconds, then lower and repeat with your left arm, raising it to 10 o’clock. That’s one rep. Your elbows should be bent 90 degrees and directly under your shoulders.

Single-Leg Lowering

Lie on your back with your legs extended straight up. Keeping your legs straight, lower your left leg until your foot is 2 to 3 inches off the floor. Return to the starting position, then repeat with your right leg; that’s one repetition. Think about pushing the bottom of your heel away from your hip as you lower your leg. Don’t point your toes; keep your foot flexed toward you. Lead with your heel.

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Personally, I find the “Plank with Diagonal Arm Lift” exercise to be the most difficult and most rewarding. Doing 10 reps at this point is pretty much good for me, but it’ll increase as time goes on, I’m sure.

Check out the rest of the exercises on their site. The “Swiss-Ball Knee Tuck” uses a Swiss ball, but I can’t have one of those as the cats will slash it, and the “Cable Kneeling Chop” uses a machine, which I don’t have access to. I haven’t gotten around to adding the “Glute-Bridge March” yet, but we’ll see; as it is right now, I’m usually pretty tired after going through my routine, and don’t really have a desire to hurt myself… too much.