Is your dream to have rock-hard abs (well, at least abs that could maybe rival Shakira’s) always felt out of reach—mainly because you’d rather binge a series than do endless gym crunches? Good news: a Japanese trick promises results faster than you think, in just five minutes a day. Let’s dive in to see if you’ll need to update your swimsuit selfies… or your chair posture instead.
Why the Usual Routines Might Not Be Enough
Sure, we’ve all heard the usual advice: spend hours at the gym doing endless ab workouts, sign up for Pilates, hop on a rower, swim daily… But what if you could sculpt your abs with a method that only demands five minutes a day? That’s exactly what the Sakuma Method offers.
The Sakuma Method: Straight from Japan’s Fitness Guru
Enter Kenichi Sakuma, fitness guru and the brain behind this bite-sized workout revolution. His approach is both sneaky and genius: instead of just targeting the abs, his method focuses on improving your posture. Why? Because, as Sakuma points out, a good posture doesn’t just make you look taller at parties—it actually increases the effectiveness of your exercises and everyday movements. Stand up straight, and you’ll engage your muscles all day long. And engaged muscles mean one thing: a boosted metabolism. So, you’re not just getting abs, you’re giving your body’s fat-burning engine a daily tune-up.
That’s the theory. The catch? Most of us have the posture of a tired potato, slouched at our desks or curled on the couch. Even walking down the street, very few of us are standing tall (unless we’ve remembered someone might be watching…). So, the Sakuma Method proposes a fix—just five minutes a day for two weeks. Afterward, you can enjoy a rest day between sessions for even better results. Abs without endless sit-ups? Where do we sign?
Five Exercises, Five Minutes: What Do You Actually Have to Do?
You might be picturing esoteric origami moves, but fear not. Here’s how the five-minute routine breaks down:
- 1. Flat on Your Belly: Lie on your stomach, hands interlaced behind your head. Lift your upper body and your legs (crossed at the ankles) off the floor, keeping your stomach pressed down—don’t bend those knees! Hold for 10 seconds, repeat three times.
- 2. Still on the Floor: With arms crossed under your chin, bend your knees and cross your ankles. Lift your legs up so your thighs rise. Hold for six seconds; do this ten times.
- 3. Seated Hip Lifts: Sit on a chair with arms by your sides and shoulders straight. Lift one side of your hips by bringing up your leg (makes it easier!), without moving your shoulders. Hold the chair’s edge to keep balanced. Hold for three seconds, switch legs, and repeat ten times on each side.
- 4. Seated Arm Stretch: Still in your chair, cross your arms and rest them on your knees. Make sure feet and hips are well-aligned. Grab your elbows and raise them above your head, keeping your upper body steady. Hold for six seconds, repeat ten times.
- 5. Squat Stretch: Squat down with your torso leaning forward, hands pressed to the floor and feet together. In one quick move, stand up on your tiptoes with your arms stretched overhead—try to reach the ceiling! Go back to the squat, and repeat ten times in a row.
The Small Print: Real Results Need Real Lifestyle
Aha! Before you think five minutes replaces everything else, don’t get too comfy. The flat belly promise only holds if you combine these exercises with a healthy lifestyle—which means:
- Balanced nutrition (your snack drawer might not like this part)
- Restful sleep
- Proper hydration
- Regular physical activity
So, abs truly are made in the kitchen, the bedroom, and—yes—during your daily five minutes.
Here’s a final tip: Give yourself a real shot at success by staying consistent for two weeks. After that, enjoy a rest day now and then between sessions for even better results. A good posture might not instantly make you Shakira, but your core (and maybe even your confidence) will thank you. You’ve got five minutes—ready to give it a try?
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
