How to Be Your Own Trainer

Your Goal: Do Something About Your Tummy

It's one of life's unfair truths: Your chances of washboard abs are mostly determined by your body type—like how much extra weight you're carrying and where you're carrying it. But regardless of your abdominal DNA, you can build a stronger, more toned-looking core that can support your back, help you stand straighter (and therefore look slimmer) and lower your risk of injury. Skip sit-ups and crunches, and instead focus on planks: Here's how to do them correctly. Once you've mastered them, incorporate your legs and arms by doing mountain climbers like these with a stability ball.

Read more: The 6 essential exercises everyone should know how to do