Great Ab Workouts

Everyone wants great abs. And now that it’s summer time, having a washboard mid section is the goal of every man and woman out there. But if you’re too ashamed to show your face at the gym in your current condition (or maybe your excuse is you just don’t have the time), guess what? You don’t need a medicine ball or one of those captain’s leg machines. Here are some great ab workouts and 5 of the best abdominal exercises you can do all on your own:

Abdominal Exercise #1: The Vertical Leg Crunch

This is a fairly straightforward abdominal exercise that helps build up that six pack and also shapes up your oblique (no more love handles). To do this exercise correctly:

• Lie face up on the floor with your legs extended straight up and your knees crossed.

• Tighten your abs as you lift your shoulder blades off the floor (this motion should feel like you’re reaching your chest to meet your feet).

• At the top of this movement, stimulate bringing your bellybutton in toward your spine. Make sure your feet remain in the fixed position.

• Lower your shoulder blades and relax your bellybutton.
  

• Repeat this exercise for 10-15 reps on a regular basis and you’re well on your way to a six pack stomach and great abs!

Abdominal Exercise #2: The Bicycle

The Bicycle is considered the best abdominal workout move to build up a six pack and tone your oblique. It’s also probably one of the easiest. After all, you’re more or less simulating riding a bicycle (Note: actually riding a bike regularly has proven to be one of the great ab workouts and can help build your ab muscles as well; this exercise just works faster and might be considered less exhausting). But since you’re not actually on a bike, it’s important you do this ab exercise properly:

• Lie face up on the floor, lacing your fingers behind your head.

• Bring your knees in toward your chest and lift your shoulders blades off the ground. Make sure you don’t pull on your neck; keep it as relaxed as possible.

• Straighten your right leg out, simultaneously turning your upper body to the left. Your right elbow should be brought in toward the left knee.

• Do the same with the opposite side, i.e., left elbow toward right knee.

• Continue to alternate sides in this “pedaling” motion until you’ve completed 10-15 reps. Easyenough, right? Start “biking” your way to ripped abs now!

 Abdominal exercise #3: The Full Vertical Crunch

This abdominal exercise is all about working out your upper and lower body. A lot of people worry about getting a pudge from normal crunches since only one area of the body is building muscles. The Full Vertical Crunch will tone your abdominal region evenly. Follow these instructions to do it correctly:

• Lying on your back, extend your legs in the air.

• Cup your head in your hands (place your hands behind your head).

• Contract your abs so that they left your shoulder blades off the floor.

• As you do this, press your heels toward the ceiling (your torso will create a ‘u’ shape).

• Lower your shoulder blades and heels and repeat for 10-15 reps.

All three of these abdominal exercises will help tone your body and build the perfect six pack. You can even combine all three exercises to create the ultimate abdominal workout. You can find many more abdominal exercises in the Truth About Six Pack Abs.

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