This week’s #FitnessFriday is about flattening your abs and strengthening your core.  Don’t worry — our fitness expert and founder of Bridalicious Bootcamp, Doug Rice is back this week to help.

This week’s question comes from bride-to-be Iris:

Doug, suggests an “up-down plank” to help flatten your abs.  Follow the instructions below and watch the video for more exercises that will also help trim your waist line.

What You’ll Need

• You don’t need any equipment — just a mat or a soft, carpeted area and your own body weight!

How To Do It

• Lie on your stomach with your legs straight, feet together and forearms on the ground underneath your chest. Clench your fists.
• Draw in your belly button and squeeze your booty muscles.
• Lift your body off the floor and form straight line from head to toe, keeping your forearms on the ground.
• Lift your right forearm off the ground and into a push-up position with your hand on the ground and your arm extended; follow by doing the same on the left side. Then return your right forearm to the ground; follow with the left forearm.
• Keep straightening your arms and immediately returning to your elbows one side at a time in an up-and-down movement.
• Continue as rapidly as possible for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds and then repeat for a total of eight times.

Don’t forget to tweet your questions at @theknot and @bridalicious using the hashtag #FitnessFriday to have a chance to have your questions featured next week!

> What’s up with Bridalicious Bootcamp? Read about it here

> Buy the Bridalicious Bootcamp DVD

> Start the 14-day Sweet & Sexy Slim Down February challenge