Taylor, Zoë, and J.Law show off some serious side abs.
Cutout tops and dresses are everywhere these days, which is excellent news for one very good reason: Toning your obliques—the outermost muscles on each side of your core—is much faster and easier than getting flat abs. Another bonus to targeting this spot: "Defined obliques are like contouring for your waist and make you look slimmer overall," says Dalton Wong, founder of London's Twenty Two Training, who has worked with Jennifer Lawrence and Zoë Kravitz. Wong gifted us with four ultra-effective moves; do them daily (and aim for one high-, one medium-, and one low-intensity 30- to 60-minute cardio session each week), adding another set whenever the moves start to feel easy. "You'll see and feel results almost immediately," Wong says. We like that—ooh, and that peekaboo top too.
1. Side plank with knee raise
Lie on left side with forearm on the floor, elbow under shoulder, and feet stacked. Lift hips and reach right arm toward ceiling; hold. Bring right knee toward chest, as shown. Return to start. Do 10 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
2. Seated rotation
Sit on floor with shoulders back and knees bent, holding a single weight with both hands. Lift feet and lean back on your tailbone in a V shape, as shown. Rotate left, bringing weight down by left hip. Repeat, rotating right. Alternate sides for 20 reps (10 per side).
3. Oblique leg slide
Get in push-up position with a folded towel or magazine under toes of each foot. Slowly lift right knee diagonally toward left elbow, sliding toes across floor on towel, as shown. Return to start, and repeat on opposite side. Do 20 reps (10 per side).
4. Wood chop
Grab a weight with both hands. Stand with feet hip-width apart, then squat, lowering weight to left knee, as shown. Keeping arms straight, stand up as you swing and twist weight up over right shoulder. Return to start. Do 10 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
