A Fitness Expert Reveals 5 Ab Workouts That Helped Her Get A ‘Snatched Waist’: Suitcases, More
March 6, 2025 by Mariam Qayum
A well-structured ab workout can do more than just strengthen your core—it can help sculpt a snatched waist by targeting key muscles that enhance definition and create an hourglass effect. While spot reduction isn’t really possible, incorporating the right exercises can tighten and tone your midsection, improve posture, and enhance overall fat loss when combined with proper nutrition and cardio.
Beca, a content creator with over 1M followers on TikTok, recently shared the five ab exercises that help her get a “snatched waist.” According to her, side-to-side planks, suitcases, toe taps, mermaids, and spiders are the ones to try. Read on to learn more.
1. Side-to-side planks
Side-to-side planks are an excellent exercise for sculpting a snatched waist because they specifically target the obliques, the muscles along the sides of your core.
How to perform: Start in a forearm position with your body in a straight line. Rotate your body to the left, shifting weight onto your left forearm and foot. Hold briefly, then return to center and repeat on the other side. Alternate side to side, keeping your core tight and hips lifted throughout the movement.
2. Suitcases
This movement activates the obliques, which help sculpt and tighten the sides of your waist. Additionally, they engage the entire core, contributing to overall fat loss and muscle toning.
How to perform: Lie on your back with your arms extended overhead. Slowly lift your upper body, reaching toward your legs while bringing your knees toward your chest. Repeat the movement.
3. Lying toe taps
Lying toe taps help tone and define your waist by engaging the lower abs and obliques. As you tap each foot, your core must work to stabilize your torso. Regularly performing lying toe taps can help tighten the waist and improve overall core strength.
How to perform: Lie on your back with your legs extended straight up toward the ceiling. Slowly lift your upper body and reach for your toes with both hands, keeping your legs as still as possible.
4. Mermaids
Mermaid exercises, often involving side-to-side leg movements while lying on your side, are great for targeting the obliques and the muscles around your waist. By engaging the core to control the movement of the legs and stabilize the torso, mermaid exercises help tone and strengthen the sides of your midsection.
How to perform: Sit on the floor with your legs extended and together. Place your hands on the floor behind you for support. Slowly move your legs up to each side, then bring them back to the starting position, repeating the mermaid motion.
5. Spiders
When performing spiders, as you bring your knee toward your elbow, you activate the obliques to stabilize your torso and control the movement.
How to perform: Start in a plank position with your arms straight and your body in a straight line from head to heels. Engage your core and keep your body stable. Slowly bring your right knee toward your elbow, engaging your obliques as you twist slightly. Return your leg back to the starting plank position and repeat with your left knee toward your left elbow.