6 Pack Abs Workout

With the new year less than two weeks away, I'm sure your annual Christmas-week ritual of drawing up new year resolutions would be in full swing. If one of them happens to be developing a pair of sexy six packs in the coming year, then you're very lucky 'coz you've landed at the right place. Presented ahead is some helpful information regarding 6 pack abs workouts and 6 pack abs workout routines. Read ahead to familiarize yourself with them.

Workouts to Get Six Pack Abs

Well, what are the exercises that you need to do in order to get those washboard six pack abs? How often do you need to do them? When it comes to men and women, are there separate workouts for six pack abs for both genders? Or is there a common 6 pack abs workout for both? Does diet play a role in developing six pack abs? These are some of the questions that will be answered in the subsequent sections of this article.

Before I move on to any sample workouts for 6 pack abs, here is a list of abdominal exercises which comprise many different abs workout routines.

• Front leg raises
• Oblique or side leg raises
• Bicycle crunches
• Standard abdominal crunches
• Exercise ball crunches
• Cross crunches
• 90 degree leg crunches
• 45 degree crossed leg crunches
• Extended arm crunches
• Side abs (or oblique crunches)
• Side twists (using a stick or a medicine ball)
• Chair leg raises

Front leg raises target your lower abs and make them firm and strong. Oblique leg raises, i.e. side leg raises, work on the fat that is stored on the sides of your waist. As far as crunches are concerned, it is a very well-known fact that they are one of the most effective exercises when it comes to developing six pack abs. There are many variants and types of crunches, some of which have been enlisted above. Other than oblique crunches, all the other types of crunches mentioned above focus on the front part of your midsection (upper and lower). Oblique crunches and side twists focus on the sides of your waist and help in getting rid of love handles, i.e. excessive waist fat. At the same time, other cardiovascular exercises such as swimming, running and jogging, cycling, etc. also help in burning fat and toning your stomach. Let us now have a look at a couple of sample 6 pack abs workout routines.

Routine #1
In this routine, focus on your lower abs and your sides. Here are some exercises that you can do in this routine:

• Front leg raises
• Exercise ball crunches
• 45 degree crossed leg crunches
• Chair leg raises
• Side leg raises
• Oblique crunches

Initially, perform 2 sets (12 repetitions each) of each of these exercises, and then gradually increase the number of sets, as your stamina and core strength increases over time.

Routine #2
In this routine, focus on your upper abs and your lower abs. Here are some exercises for the same:

• Extended arm crunches
• 90 degree leg crunches
• Bicycle crunches
• Cross crunches
• Exercise ball crunches
• 45 degree crossed leg crunches
• Chair leg raises
• Front leg raises

The same set of rules apply in this case as well, i.e. 2 sets of 12 repetitions each, for each exercise type.

Ab exercises and workouts are common to both men and women. Also, if you're serious about getting six pack abs, then you should aim at performing your ab workout routines at least 4 days a week (and a maximum of 6 days a week). Also, ab workouts require a massive amount of strength and stamina and at the end of it, you are bound to be left exhausted. Therefore, if you are a gym goer or someone who performs other exercises as well, then make sure that you schedule your abs workout at the far end of your overall workout session.

Diet-wise, cut down on all fatty foods, junk foods and fried foodstuffs. Developing a pair of six packs requires you to pay a great deal of attention to fat loss, in synchronization with muscle gain. If there is no fat loss, then your hard-earned six pack abs will not show, simply because they will remain hidden under a layer of yet-to-be-burned fat! Therefore, minimize your fat intake, and up your protein intake, all the while making sure that your diet remains a balanced diet.

Well, this was a brief bit of information regarding 6 pack abs workouts and workout routines. All the best for the new year! Cheers!