Best Ab Exercises

Apart from bodybuilding endeavors such as building arm muscles, well-toned abs are the most coveted among most of the fitness freaks! Though just a flat stomach can signify your fitness level, however, to look beautiful and fit, people go in for abdominal exercises. Well, now that's a great news! Nowadays people are very concerned about their health and are on the lookout for fat burning exercises and exercises that would reduce tummy fat. Ab exercises help to shape and strengthen your abdominal muscles and they should form an important part of your workout routine.

Ab Exercises for Six Pack Abs

Ab exercises should be done after completing the entire workout. However, some people design a special workout routine for abs. The following are some ab exercises for men as well as women.

Ab Exercises # 1
The exercise ball crunch is one of the best ab exercises for women. All you have to do is, place an exercise ball on the floor and then rest your lower and middle back on it. Place your hands behind the head. Now, try to pull your upper body off the exercise ball and the rib cage towards the hips. You should feel a sufficient stretch in your abdominal muscles. Slowly, bring your back down to the original position and then repeat. 12 - 15 repetitions are enough for this exercise.

Ab Exercises # 2
Bicycling is among the best exercise for the lower abs. Lie straight on the floor with your back straight. Position your hands behind your head and bring your knees near the chest. Slightly raise your shoulder blades off the floor. Now, stretch your right leg and at the same time, turn your upper body to the left. While turning your upper body to the left side, bring your right elbow towards the left knee. Repeat the same procedure with the other side. Perform about 10 - 12 repetitions.

Ab Exercises # 3
Vertical leg crunch is one of the best ab exercises to do at home. Lie straight on your back and then raise your legs slightly bending your knees. Place your hands on the floor for support. Lift your shoulder-blade and raise, as if you are trying to get your chest towards the feet. Hold the position for a few seconds and then return to the original position. 10 - 15 repetitions would suffice.

Ab Exercises # 4
Another effective ab exercise is the tummy tuck exercise. You do not need to place your body in a particular position. All you have to do is, sit straight on a chair and then exhale out completely, and simultaneously pull your stomach inwards. Continue normal breathing, until you hold your stomach inwards and then relax. Repeat this exercise about 10 - 12 times during the entire day.

Ab Exercises # 5
Lie face down, with your forearms resting on the floor. Now, push yourself up, by raising your toes and resting on the elbows. Do not bend your back. Maintain this position for about 30 seconds and then come back to the original position.

So these are some ab exercises to do at home. Before doing all these exercises, see that you perform a good warm-up session and only then begin with the exercises. I hope you have understood all the above-mentioned exercises and now you are ready to get going! All the best!