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"Warm weather always means the same thing for fashion, most notably exposed arms and rising hemlines. But if the Spring runways were any indication, it also means a bare tummy! As the crop top makes its way towards the mainstream\u2014and not just for Rihanna\u2014we thought it might be good timing to strengthen your core.\n\n After all, strong abs are important in ways far more meaningful than the contents of your closet. All movement benefits from a strong core, from carrying your books to keeping proper posture. (Which will come in handy during prom photos, P.S.!)\n\n To elaborate (and get a little science-y), the core is a giant muscle that corsets your entire torso. It consists of the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, erector spinae, and the internal and external obliques. All of these muscles work together to improve posture and balance, alleviate back pain, and enhance your athletic performance. And since there are so many muscles in this one area, your standard sit-up just won't cut it!\n\n So stop crunching your way into oblivion. We found five awesome ercises on YouTube, from planks to Pilates, to get the results you want. Just remember that your abs are like every other muscle in your body, so they need their rest, too. Keep the training to three nonconsecutive days a week and you can bet your core strength will skyrocket in no time!\n\n 1. Love Your Arms &amp;amp; Abs via Tone It Up\n\n\n\n The best thing about Karena's workout is that she's not just working her core\u2014she's showing you how to also target your arms. You can kill two birds with one stone and spend less time working out! What could be better?\n\n 2. Standing Routine via Jillian Michaels\n\n\n\n Fun fact: You don't have to be horizontal during core ercise. Jillian Michaels's \"standing abs\" workout is a low-weight, high-repetition scheme to build muscular endurance. This plan is sure to give you that ab definition that you're striving for.\n\n 3. Pilates 101 via Livestrong\n\n\n\n We all know Pilates is a go-to for those looking to target their core strength, so this beginner's video is a great way to fortify those abs. The moves are for everyone\u2014beginner or advanced\u2014and modifications are provided if you're just starting out. Each ercise will help you identify the difference between all of the muscles in the abdomen as you isolate and activate upper and lower abs as well as your obliques. Godspeed!"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.teenvogue.com/story/3-awesome-summer-ab-workouts>