3 Fun Bollywood-Inspired Ab Exercises That Scorch Fat

Varying your workout routine is always a “do”—changing things up can challenge your body in ways it might not be used to. Plus, there’s the amazing bonus that you don’t get bored with the same-old same-old, day in and day out (I mean, as much as I love running every morning, there are days I’d rather be doing something else).

Your exercise inspiration for this ab workout from Doonya Bollywood Dance & Fitness is so fun: Miss America Nina Davuluri:

 

Doonya’s founders, Priya Pandya and Kajal Desai, poured their years of dance experience to create an intense workout program involving moves that you might see in Bollywood movies—high-energy and full-body.

To tone your abs (and take a break from the regular crunch/plank routine), Priya and Kajal recommend these moves. Do 10 to 20 reps of each exercise, performing a total of three sets. For each movement, focus on using your abs, not your legs.
Flick Step
Bend knee of your standing leg, and shift your weight to that side. Squeeze your obliques and rock your hip to lift the other leg (there should be some resistance through the toe so that you can “flick” up off the ground). Do 10 reps on each side.

Sweep
Start with a basic ab tuck (essentially, a standing crunch): Lift one knee using the abs, and bend the other knee to sit slightly into the ground. Bring rib cage to belly button so that the spine is in C-curve position. At the same time, squeeze the obliques on one side to crunch while reaching down for the opposite foot.

Twist
Place one foot slightly in front of the other, with your body facing the corner. Imagine the movement that happens while wringing a towel as you take your knees further inward and opening your body in the opposite direction. Start with your knees bent, and straighten with the twist by lifting your hip and leading it to the opposite corner.