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V-sit can get you that six-pack

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Paola Loriggio

Even for athletes, six-pack abs remain the most coveted – and most elusive – fitness benchmark.

The good news is that most people already have strong abs, a web of muscles involved in nearly every sport, says Daniela Nahas, co-founder of Best Body Bootcamp and our guide to summer fitness.

The hitch: those rock-hard abs are usually buried under a hefty layer of chub, one that no amount of sit-ups will budge, she says.

In fact, traditional sit-ups are "incredibly boring and very ineffective," Nahas adds.

She suggests trying V-sits, a challenging move that requires lifting both the upper and lower body at once.

Diet and cardiovascular fitness also play a key role in uncovering a flat, sexy midsection, the trainer notes.

V-sits

1. Lie on your back with knees bent and your arms by your side. Your head and neck should be in a neutral position.

2. Leading with your chest, lift both your upper body and your knees, bringing your body into a V shape. Keep your lower back as straight as possible. Your shins should be parallel to the ground.

3. Lower slowly. Repeat as many times as possible to make one set. Aim for three sets.

(Note: Advanced exercisers can try the harder version, with legs straight and arms extended overhead.)