Basic Workouts for Abs
Abs can be one of the most stubborn muscle groups o train. While doing ab exercises certainly won’t burn belly fat, (you need diet and cardio for that), they will tone those muscles and help with overall core strength.
Your core provides balance. A strong core will help you maintain this not only as you exercise, but also as you move through the regular activities of your day. A good ab workout will contain exercises that also target the core region.
Your obliques are another important muscle in the core. Though they are located on your sides, they are still in the ab area. It’s amazing what a few good oblique exercises can do for your midsection.
Begin with the most traditional of exercises, sit-ups. Lie on your back with your arms clasped behind your head and your knees bent. Make sure your elbows are pointing up toward the ceiling and your feet flat on the floor. Contracting your abs, sit up so your elbows are reaching for your knees. They don’t need to touch your knees, but they do need to be pointing in that general direction. Lower your body back down to the floor. Begin with a set of ten, and work your way up to two or three sets of ten.
V-sits are another great ab exercise that will really get you feeling the effects. Lie on your back with your arms extended above your head and your legs straight. Lift both your legs and arms at the same time while also lifting your torso off the ground. Your abs should be contracted. Touch your hands to your feet, then lower your body back onto the floor. Begin with one set of ten and work your way up to two to three sets of ten.
Crunches are another great ab exercise that is guaranteed to really work those abs. Lie on your back with your hands crossed behind your head and your elbows pointing up toward the ceiling. Bending your knees, place your feet flat on the floor. Contracting your abs, lift your torso slightly off the floor. A few inches will be all that are needed for this exercise. Slowly lower your torso back to the floor. You can also do this exercise lying across an exercise ball to make it even more difficult. Begin with one set of ten and work your way up to two or three sets.
Combine all these ab exercises into one routine, or perform different ones on different days. Either way, you will soon begin seeing the results you desire. The key is patience and persistence. Mix these exercises with others designed to strengthen and tone muscles and daily cardio and you will have the abs you’ve always dreamed of in no time.