Exercises for Abs (Abdominal Exercises)

Good looking abdominal area is an add-on to the beauty of your body. It is a must to give exercise to the abdominal area to make it good looking. Read on to find various abdominal exercises or exercise for your abs. Crunch, thrust and squat, you have done all to get that six packs or the perfectly toned abs look. You need to know that the most effective exercise for abs is when you target the rectus abdominis, which is the six pack and the obliques, which means the waist. Given below are few effective exercises for those well-toned abs. But one must remember before jumping on to an exercise routine, it is always advisable to consult a fitness expert who will guide you through it after taking into consideration your body type and stamina. This is essential in order to obtain the maximum benefits. In this articleBicycle Workout for AbsCaptains Chair Exercise for AbsLong Arm Crunch Exercise for AbsBall Crunch Exercise for AbsBicycle Workout for Abs Here is how you can give a good workout to your abs. Lie on a mat with face up. Bring up your hands behind the head as you support it lightly with your fingers. Bring up the knees to your chest as you lift your shoulder blades slowly from the floor. Do not pull your neck while doing this. Turn to your left and bring your right elbow toward your left knee. Your other leg must be straight. Repeat the process as you turn right. Bring your left elbow toward your right knee. This is called the pedalling motion and you need to do both sides alternately in 1 to 3 sets for 12 to 16 reps. Captains Chair Exercise for AbsHave a quick look at the captains chair exercise for abs. Stand upright on top of a chair. Stabilise and station the upper body by gripping the hand-holds. Hold your back firmly against the pad. Contract your abs muscles. Now raise your legs as you try to lift your knees towards the chest. Note, that you must not arch backwards or swing your legs upwards. Now slowly lower your back. Repeat this in 1 to 3 sets for 12 to 16 reps. Long Arm Crunch Exercise for Abs Let us have a look at how you can practice long arm crunch exercise for your abs. Lie on a mat. Clasp your hands and stretch your arms straight behind your head. The position of your arms must be next to your ears. Contract your abs as you lift your shoulder blades from the floor. Your arms must be straight, be careful not to strain your neck. If you feel uncomfortable, place one hand behind your head and keep the other hand in the extended position. Lower your arm and repeat in 1 to 3 sets for 12 to 16 reps. The intensity can be enhanced by holding a light dumbbell. Ball Crunch Exercise for AbsFind a step by step procedure for practising ball crunch exercise for your abs. Position the ball under your lower back as you lie on it. You can either cross your arms and place them over your chest or place them behind your head. Contract your abs as you lift your torso off the ball. Alongside you must pull the bottom side of your rib-cage towards the hip. You will attain a curling posture. Keep note that the ball must be stable all this while, it should not roll about. Your abs will feel the stretch as you lower the back down. Repeat 1 to 3 sets for 12 to 16 reps. Ab exercises besides giving you flat abs; strengthen your arms, back, claves and shoulders. According to the American Council on Exercises, the above exercises target the abs very effectively thus giving a strong core. Strong abs is important for keeping the body healthy and also for protecting the spine. Exercises for abs don not help in reducing the fat from the belly area but help in toning and strengthening the core.

Good looking abdominal area is an add-on to the beauty of your body. It is a must to give exercise to the abdominal area to make it good looking. Read on to find various abdominal exercises or exercise for your abs.

Crunch, thrust and squat, you have done all to get that six packs or the perfectly toned abs look. You need to know that the most effective exercise for abs is when you target the rectus abdominis, which is the six pack and the obliques, which means the waist. Given below are few effective exercises for those well-toned abs. But one must remember before jumping on to an exercise routine, it is always advisable to consult a fitness expert who will guide you through it after taking into consideration your body type and stamina. This is essential in order to obtain the maximum benefits.

Bicycle Workout for Abs

Here is how you can give a good workout to your abs.

• Lie on a mat with face up. Bring up your hands behind the head as you support it lightly with your fingers.

• Bring up the knees to your chest as you lift your shoulder blades slowly from the floor. Do not pull your neck while doing this.

• Turn to your left and bring your right elbow toward your left knee. Your other leg must be straight.

• Repeat the process as you turn right. Bring your left elbow toward your right knee.

• This is called the pedalling motion and you need to do both sides alternately in 1 to 3 sets for 12 to 16 reps.

Captain's Chair Exercise for Abs

Have a quick look at the captain's chair exercise for abs.

• Stand upright on top of a chair. Stabilise and station the upper body by gripping the hand-holds.

• Hold your back firmly against the pad. Contract your abs muscles. Now raise your legs as you try to lift your knees towards the chest.

• Note, that you must not arch backwards or swing your legs upwards.

• Now slowly lower your back. Repeat this in 1 to 3 sets for 12 to 16 reps.

Long Arm Crunch Exercise for Abs

Let us have a look at how you can practice long arm crunch exercise for your abs.

• Lie on a mat. Clasp your hands and stretch your arms straight behind your head. The position of your arms must be next to your ears.

• Contract your abs as you lift your shoulder blades from the floor.

• Your arms must be straight, be careful not to strain your neck. If you feel uncomfortable, place one hand behind your head and keep the other hand in the extended position.

• Lower your arm and repeat in 1 to 3 sets for 12 to 16 reps.

• The intensity can be enhanced by holding a light dumbbell.

Ball Crunch Exercise for Abs

Find a step by step procedure for practising ball crunch exercise for your abs.

• Position the ball under your lower back as you lie on it.

• You can either cross your arms and place them over your chest or place them behind your head.

• Contract your abs as you lift your torso off the ball. Alongside you must pull the bottom side of your rib-cage towards the hip.

• You will attain a curling posture. Keep note that the ball must be stable all this while, it should not roll about.

• Your abs will feel the stretch as you lower the back down. Repeat 1 to 3 sets for 12 to 16 reps.

Ab exercises besides giving you flat abs; strengthen your arms, back, claves and shoulders. According to the American Council on Exercises, the above exercises target the abs very effectively thus giving a strong core. Strong abs is important for keeping the body healthy and also for protecting the spine. Exercises for abs don not help in reducing the fat from the belly area but help in toning and strengthening the core.