MIDDLE MANAGEMENT Ab workouts, straight out of LA

Cut straight to the core with these targeted abmoves from LA’s secret weapon to the stars, trainer

Something happens around this time of year. The layers of clothing come off, and celebrity-style abs jump out from the confines of Instagram and into your reality. They’re on the beach, at festivals, even in your local park... So what are these women doing to achieve such strong cores? Pete Geracimo knows. He’s been a celebrity trainer for the past 20 years, working with the likes of Pippa Middleton, Kim Cattrall, Adele and even The Hoff. The key, he says, to super-strong abs are the five moves that follow. Do the circuit four to five times a week, building up the number of reps and the time held in position, to see results, fast. Cropped tops at the ready...

STEP 1 Side planks

TARGETS Abs, obliques, biceps 1 Start on your side with your feet together and one forearm resting on the floor directly below your shoulder. Place the other hand on your hip. 2 Contract your core and raise your hips until your body is in a straight line from head to toe. 3 Hold the position, without letting your hips drop, for 15 to 60 seconds. 4 Repeat on other side. You got this.

STEP 2 Plank twists

TARGETS Abs, obliques 1 Start in a plank, resting on your forearms. Make sure your hips don’t drop, to engage the core and take the pressure off your lower back – hold for 10 seconds. 2 Keeping your forearms and upper body in their starting position, slowly twist your hips to one side. Touch the floor (or go as far as you can) with your hips. 3 Now twist to the other side. 4 Go for 10 to 20 on each side. Think of it as the ‘Pippa plank.’