Top 4 Exercises for Abs
12.11.09
When you think about exercises for abs, you’re almost certainly associating them with these two words: sit ups. Let’s face it, they’re the most common form of abs exercise out there. They’re so widespread that even a 10-year-old knows what they are.
Nevertheless, you need to recognize that there are other more effective ways to get six pack abs than just sit ups. The best way to get the most out of any abs workout is to add a certain degree of variety and perform them on a regular basis.
Combining these abdominal muscle exercises with a full body workout and a well-balanced diet is practically full-proof. Keep all three components present and thriving, and you will definitely see results fast.
Truth about abs: according to a recent study, bicycles, weighted sit ups, fully body crunches, and ball crunches are the 4 most effective exercises for abs. Read on and find out why:
1. Bicycles. These exercises work not only your upper, lower, and side abdominals, but also other muscle groups such as the arms, lower back, and legs. For this exercise, you need to lie on the floor and touch your fingers to your ears. Bend at the knees and mimic a cycling movement in the air using your legs. As your right knee comes in, lift and twist so that your left elbow touches it. Simply do the same on the other side.
2. Weighted Sit Ups. These exercises for abs add resistance to your workout, giving your abs a little more oomph to work with. It’s basically a sit up with an added twist and increased difficulty. All you need for this exercise are light to moderately heavy weight simulators, like a pair of 1 lb. dumbbells or a hardbound book, which you will need to hold over your chest with your hands. Proceed by lifting your torso upward, holding it there for a few seconds, and coming back down, just like with regular sit ups.
3. Full Body Crunches. As the name implies, these exercises work your arms, back, and legs, just like bicycles. To begin, simply lie down, place your hands across your chest, and bend at the knees. Lift your torso up the floor and pull in both knees at the same time. Lie back down and start again.
4. Ball Crunches. Compared to regular floor crunches, ball crunches promote balance and work your core in its entirety. It’s very simple yet challenging, and I guess that’s the beauty of it. To start off, sit on an exercise ball. Lie back slowly until your upper body and thighs are parallel to the ground. Start doing regular crunches – you’ll instantly feel the added tension since you’re performing them on an unstable surface. With the ball, you get padded support for your back and a taste of variety.
Work these 4 basic exercises for abs into your six pack abs workout routines and you can bid farewell to excess belly fat for good.
Tags: excess belly fat, exercises for abs, get six pack abs, six pack abs