4 Best Exercises for Abs
Article by Travis Hunt
When you hear the words “exercises for abs,” you probably have these two words in mind: sit ups. I’m actually not surprised because sit ups are one of the most, if not the most, common forms of abdominal exercises being done today. They’re so widespread that even a 10-year-old knows what they are.
You have to understand, however, that sit ups aren’t the only drills you can do to get six pack abs. The best way to get the most out of any abs workout is to add a certain degree of variety and perform them regularly.
For a full-proof overall fitness plan, combine abdominal exercises with a healthy diet plan and a full body workout. If you work hard at keeping these three elements alive in your regular routine, you simply can’t go wrong.
Recent studies show that ball crunches, full body crunches, weighted sit ups, and bicycles are the 4 most efficient 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. When your left knee comes up, lift your torso off the floor, twist to the left, and touch it with your right elbow. Repeat on the other side.
2. Weighted Sit Ups. With these exercises for abs, your core muscles get pushed a little further through resistance training. They’re very similar to regular sit ups so they’re not complicated to do at all. 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. 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. Lift your torso up the floor and pull in both knees at the same time. 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. 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 simple exercises for abs into your fitness program and you can bid farewell to excess belly fat for good.
About the Author
Learn 10 ways to burn your belly fat and achieve the top of your six pack success with the help of this 6-part min course for FREE. Also, know more on Truth About Six Pack Abs and have the best tips for your program.