Mommy makeovers do not require plastic surgery. Nipping and tucking may be considered easy, but it is super expensive. It may not require “hard work.” But isn’t weeks of down time, pain and scars hard?
Let’s face it there are some areas of the body that are extremely hard to improve upon, especially if you are a mom (with very little time to work out). The buns, abs and thighs are three of those hard to target areas. However, before you decide to "go under the knife", at least give good old fashion exercise a try.
A key piece of equipment in the quest to improve the buns, abs and thighs is the recumbent bike, (Better buns, abs and thighs part I ), talks about how beneficial the elliptical can be as well). Like the elliptical, people may use the recumbent bike, but may not get the optimum effects it offers or some may even avoid it thinking that there is no way this simplistic piece of stationary equipment can improve their saddle bags. Well think again. Following are some super easy tips to get the most out of the recumbent bike and get you on your way to seeing results.
- Adjust the seat to a comfortable height.
- If the recumbent bike adjusts forward and backward (like a seat in a car) then adjust it to where the knees are bent and you can comfortably put your feet completely onto the pedals.
- Sit upright (good posture always engages the abs).
- Pedal "pigeon toed": turn toes inward with feet flat on the pedal to engage the “saddle bags" and bum.
- Pedal with feet straight: this hits the quads, hamstrings and calves (virtually all of the leg).
- Pedal with your tippy toes: with knees still bent pedal with tip toes, this engages the back of the calves (Soleus and Gastrocnemius), the hamstrings and the bum. Bonus: this move actually helps to lift and tone the buns and give them a very nice shape.
Note: if the recumbent bike has “steer up” type pedals (ones that have the strap across the top of the foot), it makes all of these foot positions easier and helps keep the foot from slipping off the pedal. Use the different foot positions at varying intervals to keep the body guessing.
*Intense invertavals for short stints of time followed by slightly longer less intense periods can boost your cardio work out.
After just one spin on the recumbent bike with these simple suggestions, you will feel more toned in your abs, bun and thighs and if you keep it up, you will see results.
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