exercises for abs

Top 4 Exercises for Abs

by

When you hear the words “exercises for abs,” you probably have these two words in mind: sit ups. Let’s face it, they’re the most common form of abs exercise out there. I wouldn’t be surprised if my grandmother knew what they were.

You have to understand, however, that sit ups aren’t the only moves you can do to get six pack abs. You need to mix them up, add some variety, and do them regularly for you to get fast results.

Combining these abdominal muscle exercises with a total body workout and a well-balanced diet is practically full-proof. If you work hard at keeping these three elements alive in your daily routine, you simply can’t go wrong.

According to a recent study, bicycles, weighted sit ups, fully body crunches, and ball crunches are the 4 most effective exercises for abs. Here’s why:

1. Bicycles. Not only does it involve your obliques, upper abdominals, and lower abdominals, but it also works your legs, lower back, and arms. For this exercise, you need to lie on the floor and touch your fingers to your ears. Bend your knees and begin alternating cycling movements with your legs. When your left knee comes up, lift your torso off the floor, twist to the left, and touch it with your right elbow. 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 extra to work with. They’re very similar to regular sit ups so they’re not complicated to do at all. You will need some small weights, like a pair of light dumbbells, and you must secure them on your chest with both hands. Now, lift your shoulders off the floor as you would with regular sit ups.

3. Full Body Crunches. Like bicycles, this exercise targets almost the entire abdominal area and works your limbs as well. All you have to do is lie on the floor, bend both knees, and cross your arms over your chest. As you raise your shoulders for that crunch, pull in your knees simultaneously. Go back down and start all over.

4. Ball Crunches. These exercises for abs are responsible for working your entire core while promoting balance. You’ll have a lot of fun with this one, I promise. First, take an exercise ball and sit on it. Roll the ball underneath until your back is resting on it and your thighs are parallel to the floor. Begin doing crunches as you would on a flat surface. The ball’s just there to provide lower back support and make it a little more challenging.

Work these 4 exercises for abs into your fitness program and you can bid farewell to excess belly fat for good.

Exercise for Abdominals – Best 4 You Can Do At Home

by

Performing a good exercise for abdominalsdoesn’t have to be done on an expensive piece of gym equipment. In fact, you don’t have to go anywhere else or spend on extravagant machines to work those abs.

In a recent scientific study done at San Diego State University, they tested over 10 abdominal exercises and weeded out the least effective of the bunch. The exercises enumerated below were 4 of the best. These simple yet effective drills can help you achieve a much firmer, flatter stomach in just weeks.

Obviously, you would have to put in a lot of hard work and dedication when you perform your exercise for abdominals. No matter how physically fit you are, six pack abs don’t just happen overnight, that’s for sure. You also need to keep in mind that exercise works hand in hand with proper nutrition.

Your exercise for abdominals must consist of at least 3 of the following: Bicycle exercise, Ball Crunches, Weighted Sit Ups, and Full Body Crunches. Doing each 3-4 times a week should do your abs a lot of good. Start off with 5 reps per exercise and increase the frequency and sets as you progress. Remember, this isn’t a race; start slow and finish hard – that is the key.

1. Bicycle. Lie on the floor, place your hands on each side of your head, bring your legs up by bending at the knees, and plant your feet firmly on the ground. This will be your initial position. Now, lift each leg in an alternating manner and start cycling in mid-air. Meanwhile, touch your right elbow to your left knee as it goes up, and do the same on the other side.

2. Ball Crunches. This exercise for abdominals requires an exercise ball. Those aren’t really hard to come by (and they’re very affordable, too). First thing you need to do is sit on the ball as you would on a regular chair. Keep both feet planted firmly on the floor. Slowly lean back, allowing the ball to gently roll underneath you then stop when your upper body and thighs are parallel to the ground. Raise your upper body as you would with a regular crunch and stop halfway up. Hold it there for a few seconds then lean back against the ball again.

3. Weighted Sit Ups. Lie back on the floor, bend your knees, and keep your feet flat on the ground. Using a light weight, like a hardbound book or a bottle of water, place it over your chest and hold it down with your hands. Lift your shoulders off the floor slowly without moving your lower body. Once you’ve reached a challenging angle, hold that position, slowly go back down to the floor, and start over.

4. Full Body Crunches. You’re really going to work up a sweat with this exercise for abdominals. Lie on the floor again, cross your arms over your chest, and keep those knees bent. Lift your torso off the ground while you pull in both knees toward your pelvis. Hold it there for a second, assume the original position, then start all over.

Always remember to keep your abdominal muscles tight with every exercise for abdominals. With a well-balanced diet and a regular workout plan, you won’t get anything less than great six pack abs.

Exercises for Lower Abs that Work

by

Some of the most proven effective exercises for lower abscan be done right in your own home with no expensive equipment or large time investment.

You just need to know the answers to 3 simple questions and know the right moves to get the abs you want.

  1. What moves work your abs?
  2. What is the right diet for ab training?
  3. What is a good cardio workout?

Technically, there are no separate upper and lower abdominal muscles. The abdominals are a group of muscles that are all connected.

So, some experts don’t believe that there is a point to targeted ab training, but science has proven that some movements do target the lower abs more effectively.

The best exercises for lower abs are:

  1. Curls
  2. Crunches
  3. Bicycles
  4. Knee to Chest Stretch

1. Curl

  • Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat.
  • Place your hands on your abdomen.
  • Tighten your abdominal muscles and press your lower back against the floor.
  • Slowly curl yourself up, raising your head and shoulders.
  • Uncurl back down, slowly lowering yourself back to the floor.

2. 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.

3. 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 and repeat.

4. Knee to Chest Stretch

  • Lie on the floor with your knees bent and flat feet.
  • Bring one knee toward your chest. You can use your hands if you need to.
  • Hold your knee near your chest for ten seconds and lower your leg slowly.
  • Repeat with your other knee.
  • Hold the stretch for as long as you feel comfortable and then repeat.

Perform these exercises for lower abs 2-3 times per week on alternating days. Begin with 5-10 repetitions of each and step up slowly.

A low fat diet is an important part of abdominal training. Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean protein. Avoid fatty foods and processed grains.

A strong cardio routine is also important, both for your overall fitness and you ab strengthening. Walking, bicycle riding, running, jogging, and aerobics are all great cardio workouts.

A healthy fitness routine is a full body fitness routine. Eat right, pick a cardio workout, and do these exercises for lower abs. Your very own toned, sexy abs are inside of you, waiting to be brought out.

3 Steps in the Flat Stomach 2 Weeks Program

by

Myth: Getting a flat tummy in 2 weeks is impossible.

Fact: A flat stomach 2 weeks later is attainable if you start with a well-conditioned body. I should know, I’ve been there before.

To get a conditioned body, you’ll need to really work at it. This isn’t the time to dilly-dally because if you’re really serious about getting rid of excess belly fat or building a six pack, you’ll need more than just luck on your side.

You’ll need to get three things in order before you achieve the flat tummy of your dreams. These are: total commitment, a full-proof diet, and proper exercise.

1. Total Commitment. Even Hollywood superstars and buffed athletes have to go through this step for them to get their bodies to look that way.

First thing you need to do to get a flat stomach 2 weeks later is to start. NOW. Truly, there is no better time.

Grab a pen and mark that target date on your calendar. Commit to yourself and to the idea of your new-and-improved self. The only way you can get yourself out of your fitness rut is to make that conscious decision.

If you don’t start today, you will only delay things. You need to want it bad before you get it. Remember that.

2. Full-proof Diet. This entails more than just the latest fad diet or even total fasting – those aren’t just good for you. Period.

For a flat stomach 2 weeks later, you need to get your weight to a healthy number and rev up your metabolism at the same time.

Start by timing your meals. Eat small portions of well-balanced meals every 4 hours. That way, your body never goes totally hungry nor will it be deprived of essential nutrients at any given time. Also, your digestive system will be working at a regular “schedule.”

At the supermarket, stock up on veggies and fruits you can eat without cooking. You can snack on them regularly without much food preparation. You should also get fat-burning foods like garlic, chilies, nuts, citrus fruits, apples, tomatoes, and a variety of berries.

Tofu, an alternative source of protein, will help get you a flat stomach 2 weeks later. While you’re there, grab a bottle of multivitamins and take 1 tablet daily. Remember to stay away from fatty foods – they will only set you back.

3. Proper Exercise. You can’t expect to go easy in the next 2 weeks if you truly want to see results by then. That’s why performing exercises correctly and regularly will do the trick.

With the use of a timer, you need to stick to a diet and exercise routine. Every time that timer goes off, you need to get off that couch and start working: walk around, drink water, eat your small portions, work out, get ample sleep, and do it all again the next day.

Before you even notice it, the flat stomach 2 weeks program should be completed in no time at all. After doing everything intensely for 2 weeks, give your body a break by resuming a slower-paced exercise routine and going back to a normal diet. The most important thing to remember is that you never give up in those 2 weeks and keep your eye on the prize at all times.

Share your own flat stomach 2 weeks experience by entering your story below.

The 3 Absolute Rules on How to Get Killer Abs!

by

We’ve all wondered about how to get killer absat some point in our lives. After reading many articles in health magazines and websites, I’m sure you already know that there are many ways to achieve it. The secret (if there is one) is that you integrate the RIGHT strategies instead of just relying on one.

It’s not as hard as you think. It only seems like it because you haven’t even started yet. But once you get the ball rolling, things will just start to fall into place.

There are 3 key strategies to creating an effective fitness plan. No, it does not involve paying for a personal trainer or signing up for expensive pre-packed food to be delivered to your home. If you want to know how to get killer abs, simply keep in mind these 3 simple points:

  1. Healthy Eating
  2. Abs Targeting
  3. Complete Muscle Strengthening

Healthy Eating

 

Knowing what your body fat percentage can help you determine which foods you need to cut down on. You can easily find out what your body fat percentage is by asking your doctor or a fitness trainer at the gym.

If yours is especially high, that means you will need to work extra hard at building ab muscles. It also means you will need to change your diet.

No amount of sit ups or crunches will get you six pack abs if you have a considerable amount of fat surrounding your abdominal area. How to get killer abs when you’re battling the bulge? Start eating healthy, that’s how.

With a low fat diet, you can easily burn stored body fat. Try getting more leafy greens and lean meats into your meals. In the meantime, you need to avoid foods that are high in saturated fat, such as chips, French fries, fried chicken, and processed canned meat.

Abs Targeting

Abs targeting is definitely the icing on the cake since it directly involves your abdominal muscles. With excess fat out of the way, you can get your midsection into shape just by performing 3 abs targeting exercises every other day. You now have a better idea how a healthy, low fat diet can be advantageous while doing targeted abs exercises.

Doing 5-10 reps of each exercise, while gradually increasing your reps as your fitness level improves, is how to get killer abs. Sit ups, crunches, and bicycles are examples of very basic yet highly effective abs targeting exercises.

Complete Muscle Strengthening

 

While you work on your abdominals, it is also important that you strengthen and condition other muscle groups as well. Here’s why:

  • You get faster, long-lasting results
  • You reduce the risk of injury
  • You give your abdominal muscles a break
  • You allow your whole body to get in shape

Choose from a wide array of full body workouts, including swimming, yoga, martial arts, and boxing.

How to get killer abs isn’t cryptic at all. You just have to cover all the bases – get your diet right, work on those abs, and involve the rest of your body.