One Exercise Delivers Flat Abs and Toned Thighs

When you picture a skater, chances are you think of a young guy in long, baggy shorts. Well, think again. At Surf Expo (which features skate in addition to surf) in Orlando last month, we certainly saw plenty of people fitting that look, but there were also lots of women. At one booth, the ladies looked more like yoga instructors than skaters.

Freeline skates already changed the way people are skating. Rather than a single skateboard, Freeline skates are made of two independent, two-wheeled platforms. For skateboard enthusiasts, it takes the sport to a new level, but the founders quickly saw an unexpected benefit as well -- they provide a really great workout!

Jill Lausen, 42, started using Freeline over three years ago after seeing a pair and learning about what could be done with them. "I thought, 'Well, I could do that!'" she said. "So, I bought myself a pair, and, I couldn't do it. But since I'd purchased them, I kept trying. I didn't have any sort of board sport background, and, to tell you the truth, my balance is terrible. If I can do it, anybody can!"

So why did she stick with it, even though it took her four or five weeks to get the hang of it? "It's actually fun! I really can't wait to do it. I started in the spring, and by fall of that year, I was desperately seeking indoor areas where I could skate."

In addition to having fun, Lausen quickly noticed that her balance improved and she saw generalized weight loss and toning. And then, suddenly, she saw a big change. "I was getting into the shower one day and I thought, 'Whoa, I'm so thin you can see my ribs!' But it wasn't my ribs; it was a line from my lateral obliques. That was huge. I don't have a six-pack, but my abs are super flat.

"I'm also prone to getting some dimpling in my thighs and extra padding around my hips when I'm not in great shape, and most of that just disappeared. There's better definition in my hamstrings and thighs and glutes. And this is all I'm doing -- there's no gym routine."

To get that level of fitness, Lausen insists she's not doing anything to specifically target those areas, though she's noticed what tends to work her muscles harder -- namely going up and down hills.

Since she started from scratch and has since become one of the brand's top women riders, we figured Lausen was the right one to ask for advice on getting started. Aside from following the "how to skate" videos available from the Freeline website, she suggested using a tennis court, if the courts in your area allow for skates. The texture of the courts creates more friction, making it easier to control your movements, and you can use the chain link fence all the way around for balance.

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Is There Really a Flat Belly Cure
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