What part of your body attracts the most attention? According to surveys of both men and women, sexy, toned abs are the biggest show stopper. That’s not really surprising – even art from 2,000 years ago showcased the abs. A finely sculpted midsection is a work of art in itself.
What exercises will give you the look of a Greek god? Read on to find out.
But before we discuss exercises, you should know that exercise alone won’t give you the abs you want. Fat burning, a healthy diet, and cardio exercise are all important facets of an abdominal workout program.
The four primary 6 pack abs exercises are:
- Ball Crunches
- Weighted Sit Ups
- Bicycles
- Full Body Crunches
Ball Crunches
Note that this exercise requires the use of an exercise ball.
Place your feet flat on the floor and sit on the exercise ball. Lie back slowly, letting the ball gently roll until your thighs and torso are in a parallel line with the floor. Begin raising your torso halfway up, while contracting your abdominal muscles. When you reach a 45 degree incline, stop and lie back down slowly.
Weighted Sit Ups
This exercise requires the use of a small weight. If you do not have a small weight, any similarly sized object, such as a hardcover book or bag of flour will do.
Lie down on the floor with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent. Place the weight on your chest and hold it in place with both hands. Contract your abdominal muscles. Slowly lift your head and back up from the floor, while keeping your feet on the ground. Go up as high as you can and hold it for a second. Then slowly return down and repeat.
Bicycle
Lie flat on the floor. Rest your hands up next to your head and bring your knees halfway up. Begin a bicycling motion with your legs. Alternate between touching your left elbow to your right knee and your right elbow to your left knee. Repeat.
Full Body Crunches
Lie down on the floor. Bend your knees and place your hands across your chest. Contract your abdominal muscles. Bring your shoulder blades up off of the floor several inches while bringing your knees up at the same time. Hold this position for a few seconds and then lower yourself.
These four exercises can all be performed in your home with inexpensive equipment.
Begin with 5 repetitions of each exercise and gradually work up to 20. After exercising, you should feel like you have worked out, but if you feel burning or tingling, lessen your workout time and step up gradually. This will reduce your risk of injury or strain.
By performing these 6 pack abs exercises, and following a sensible workout program, you are already on your way to the abs of your dreams.
What other techniques can you add to make these exercises effective? Share your expertise below.