Bikini season is just around the corner, and there are so many styles to choose from. Yes, I did say “bikini season.” How positive would you feel if you could confidently wear one to expose the midsection you’ve worked for? Are you ready? If not, let’s get you ready! With the few exercises below, your stomach could become stronger and more toned. Though we all wish we could snap our fingers to transform our abs from flab to fab in just seconds flat, achieving great abs takes work. These three techniques should be rotated over an eight-week period. By that time, you should feel and/or see a difference from what the winter season caused you. If you need a challenge, like many of us do, reduce the break between each exercise set from one minute to thirty seconds to amplify the intensity. Get to it!

        
Step 1. Lie flat on the ground with your legs together and straight in front of you.

Step 2. Tighten your ab muscles as you lift your legs up perpendicular to your body.

Step 3. Slowly lower your legs making sure your stomach muscles are still tightened and your back isn’t arching off the floor. Without actually touching the floor, hold your legs for a few seconds. Repeat 10-15 times.

        
Step 1. Starting with both knees bent on the ground with a large exercise ball in front of you, clasp your hands together so they’re just on the edge of the ball supporting your weight.
           
Step 2. Roll your hands away from your body over the ball, while tightening your stomach muscles. Hold for a few seconds. Balance is key.

Step 3. Roll back to the starting position, still engaging your core muscles. Repeat 10-15 times.

Step 1. Rest your shoulder blades on the edge of a large exercise ball, while maintaining full support of your body.

Step 2. Keep your hips parallel with the floor, while bending your legs at a 90° angle. Extend your arms straight up with palms facing each other.
           

Step 3. Using your oblique muscles, slowly rotate onto one shoulder, making sure to keep your arms straight. At the end of the turn, your arms will be out to the side, perpendicular to your body. The ball should remain stable. Return to starting position. Repeat 10-15 times on each side.