Crunch time for showing off your summer body

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Summer Shape-Up

It’s getting warmer and we’re baring more and more of our bodies, but how do they look?

It’s healthy to be fit and have firm muscles, but it can be hard work.

Body & Soul is here to help with Summer Shape-Up, our series featuring a simple exercise from a personal trainer on how to get problem areas toned and presentable.

Paul Lambert was the personal trainer to Hollywood actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones while they lived in Bermuda.

“I worked him through knee surgery back to full function,” Mr Lambert said.

Exercise: Reverse crunch

Muscles toned: Abdominals

Method:

Lay flat on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor (or exercise mat). Arms are by your side palms faced down.

Raise your feet off the floor, and pull them slowly toward you bringing your knees to your chest and lifting your bottom off the mat.

Slowly lower your bottom toward the floor using your abdominal muscles. As your bottom hits the floor, straighten your legs to an inch above the floor to work your lower abdominal muscles.

Without returning your feet to the floor, raise your feet up to your chest again, lifting your bottom off the floor.

Do three sets of 15 or 20 repetitions, three times a week.

Visit www.royalgazette.com to see a video of Mr Lambert doing a reverse crunch.

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