Best ab workouts

Don’t let your waistline go to waste! I have never met a person who doesn’t want a six pack, have you? Everyone wants to have nice flat and sexy abs. With the right ab workouts, you could definitely make this possible. It is very important to know that regardless of how many ab exercises you do a day, until you lose the belly fat on top of your abs, you won’t be able to see your six pack. I am in no way saying not to work your abs if you have a little flab on top, because strong abs and core is very important to your health, primarily your back and posture. Just know that to really see your hard work, you have to lose that fat on top first.

Now, if you often find that your back hurts when you do ab exercises, you may want to invest in a program that is specifically designed for that. Shaun T developed Hip Hop Abs, which is really a lot of fun, and he does the entire workout standing up, no floor work at all… which means no crunches! Check out Hip Hop Abs here.

Below are some great exercises, most you can do without equipment.
My favorite ab equipment is the stability ball, medicine ball and the Ab Roller. Between these three pieces of equipment, you will get an amazing ab workout!

The Bicycle

This is arguably one of the best ab workouts – if not the best – for a variety of reasons. First of all, it is a relatively easy workout. Secondly, it doesn’t need special equipment to perform. And finally, it targets almost all of your midsection, namely the rectus abdominis (six packs) and the waist.

How to do it:
1. Lie on your back, with your hands behind your head, lightly supporting it with your fingers.
2. Simultaneously, bring your knees into your chest while lifting your shoulders off the floor. (Take care not to pull your neck with your hands).
3. Now, rotate your body to the right, bringing your left elbow towards the right knee, while straightening your other knee.
4. Shift your movement to the other side, alternating between left and right and repeat this movement for your designated number of reps.

Exercise Ball Crunch

This is an alteration to regular crunches that can be done on the floor. It simply incorporates an exercise ball instead of just lying on a mat. What makes this adjustment more effective is that it targets your abs but at the same time involves balance, and strength from your core and legs.

How to do it:
1. Position yourself on the exercise ball so that your rest on it with your lower back.
2. Place your hands behind your head, just like you did in the bicycle exercise.
3. Lift your upper body by contracting your abs (Make sure the ball is stable and not rolling around).
4. Lower back down, stretching your ab muscles.
5. Repeat this routine for your designated number of reps.

Long Arm Crunch

This is a very basic and easy exercise that focuses mostly on the upper abs. The movement is pretty easy to perform.

How to do it:
1. Lie on your back with your arms extended straight behind your head.
2. Lift your shoulders and upper body off the floor by contracting your abs, with your arms straight (make sure not to strain your neck)
3. Lower yourself back on the floor and repeat for the number of reps you plan.
4. For an added challenge, hold dumbbells while doing this exercise.

The Plank

This is one of the best ab and core workouts. It is a great way for building endurance for the abs and the back as well. You can also use the stability ball while doing the plank.

How to do it:
1. Facing down, rest your elbows on the floor and keep your legs straight, balancing on the balls of your feet, keep your core and abs engaged.
2. Keep your back straight (without any dips in your lower back).
3. Hold this position for 60 seconds then relax.
4. Repeat this exercise for your desired number of reps.

For an added challenge try the:
Medicine ball plank

How to do it:
1. Lay on the stability ball, and walk your hands out until the ball is at your feet.
2. Using your ab and core muscles, bend your knees, pulling them to your chest.
3. Return to ab plank position and repeat.

Ab roll

This workout needs care since it can cause lower back pain if done incorrectly. It can be done using an ab roller. Stay in control throughout the entire movement. This is one of the top exercises for your abs if done correctly.

How to do it:
1. Facing down, keep your legs a little bent and resting on your knees.
2. Hold the grips of the wheel firmly and contract your abs as you glide forwards as far as you can. Note that if you feel pain in your back, then you have stretched further than you need to. Adjust yourself so that you reach the correct and comfortable range.
3. Contract your abs again and pull your body back to the starting position.

Windshield wiper

The windshield wiper is an exceptional workout for your obliques, the muscles that trim and define your waistline.

How to do it:
1. Lie on your back with knees bent to 90-degree angles.
2. Straighten your arms by your sides, and lengthen your fingertips.
3. Press the backs of your shoulders against the floor, and down away from your ears.
4. Engage your abs and core, inhale and slowly move your knees to the right, then exhale and return to starting position. Repeat to other side.

Russian Twist

This exercise works all of your ab muscles and also includes core and arms. You want to be sure your core is fully engaged during this exercise to keep your lower back safe.

How to do it:
1. Sit upright on the floor with your knees bent in front of you.
2. Pick up the medicine ball in both hands.
3. Lean as far back as you can, you want your abs to engage. Lift your heels off the ground and balance.
4. Bring the medicine ball to your right side, using your abdominals to control the movement.
5. Bring back center and repeat to the left, follow this sequence 12 times.

These exercises mentioned are definitely not the only effective exercises for great abs, these are just some of my favorite. There are so many to choose from. The main thing here is to find exercises that you can do and commit to. Along with good ab exercises, you should follow a clean diet and get sufficient amounts of cardiovascular exercise in to maintain a lean and healthy body.