For the lazy athletes: this is how you also train your abdominal muscles while walking
Training the abdominal muscles is, I believe, not something that makes a person really happy. Usually, this muscle group is a bit left to its fate, unless you very disciplinedly include a ‘core workout’ in your training. The latter happens far too little, and that's why I've listed some exercises below so you can train those abs while walking. How nice is that? No sighing and puffing on a mat, but just stepping out to get a coffee while working on your abs at the same time. Here they come:
1. Swinging your arms
This may look a bit silly, but it's definitely worth it if you want a flat stomach. By swinging your arms while walking, you burn more calories and activate the muscles in your lower and upper body, including your abdominal muscles. Small effort, big result. Note: don't recklessly swing your arms, but try to move from your core, just like a real enthusiastic walker would.
2. Boxing
Let's throw all shame overboard for this exercise, because do we want a six-pack or not? Tighten your abdominal muscles while walking and punch twenty times straight ahead and twenty times above your head, as if you are boxing. This not only trains your abs but also your back muscles. Small tip: do this exercise for safety during a calm part of your walk, before passersby think you've really lost your way.
3. Holding in your stomach
This exercise is a piece of cake: chest out, straight back, and hold in your stomach. By adopting this posture, you activate your abdominal muscles and simultaneously improve your overall posture. Just pretend you're walking on the beach and someone can take a picture of you at any moment. Bet you can do it?
4. Take every incline
We can't hear this tip often enough: try to tackle every hill, curb, and/or staircase during your walk. This will give your metabolism a significant boost and will not only lead to a tighter stomach but also to toned glutes. Two birds with one stone.
5. Walking with straight legs
Okay, I admit this is a bit of a strange exercise again, but summer has arrived and we have no time to lose. For this exercise, try to keep your legs straight while walking, making you look somewhat like a robot. This activates both your hip and lower abdominal muscles, much more than when you walk ‘normally’. No worries, you don't have to walk the entire route like this; do it for one minute, about eight to ten times per walk.
Walk on!
Source: Womenshealth
