“We’re burning this room up with our fierceness!” says Nicole Winhoffer, tossing her hair to one side. The celebrity trainer known for sculpting Madonna, Stella McCartney, and other famous figures is currently mid-shimmy with Victoria’s Secret Angel Martha Hunt, as the two swivel their hips to “Trap Queen” like old friends.
Credit: Blogspot Celeb Bio Pic
We are here, in Bandier’s Flatiron studio, to break down Winhoffer’s ultimate crop top workout: a basic four-move series designed to sculpt the abs from all sides. “Everything is rotational, spherical,” Winhoffer says of her NW Method’s choreographic approach, which can now be live-streamed on her site. “You know, we don’t just have abs in the front of our body.” When performed twice a day, five times a week, as a supplement to your weekly fitness regimen, the chiseling movements will blast your middle in a month’s time—and take up just five to 10 minutes per session. “Yes, work!” Winhoffer yells, as Hunt whips her head backward, displaying that enviably long, lean frame. Forget the beach body: This summer, it’s a crop top core that’s worth working for.
Curtsy Cross
From a seated position, take a bridge pose, raising your hips toward the ceiling. Keep your feet in line with your hands. Cross your right foot over the left knee, then return your foot to the ground before crossing your left foot over the right knee. Keep your knees parallel to the ceiling to work the back and obliques correctly. Perform 50 reps.
Diagonal Crossover Crunch
Kneel with your knees turned in and feet slightly wider than hip distance. Keep your hands behind the head and tuck your hips to the right, bending your right elbow toward the right thigh and folding your left elbow inward. Return to the center and repeat the motion to the left. Keep your head directly over the hips and make a wide circular motion to build a strong, cinched waist. Perform 50 reps.
Butterfly Crunch Opener
Lay on your back with your legs in butterfly pose, holding your hands behind the head. Crunch forward and bring your knees together, flipping your feet outward, before returning to the mat. Perform 50 reps.
Stretch Press Plank
Take a down dog pose, stretching the arms long and keeping the core engaged. Bend your knees down toward the ground without touching the floor and return to your starting position. Perform 50 reps.
By Monica Kim