Most Effective Ab Exercises for Men

A growing waistline is not just a problem in the United States. This problem is faced by men all around the world. It can be attributed to the lifestyle that is followed, with irregular and unhealthy eating patterns and little or no exercise whatsoever. All of this does not help the cause at all, but the abdominal exercises, do help the cause immensely. The abdominal exercises do not just work the stomach or the core muscles, but also the hips and the lower back muscles. Although there is a predominant shift in working with a lot of weights, you will be surprised to know that the most effective abdominal workout for men is the one, which uses little or almost no weight, apart from body weight. Having said that we will now see, the most effective abdominal workout for men.

Most Effective Abdominal Exercises for Men

When the talk is about the abdominal exercises for men or women, the first exercise that one thinks about are the sit ups. Often sit ups are also the last exercise one thinks about. However, apart from sit ups, there are a number of exercises, which one can opt for, so that upper as well as the lower abs can be toned and strengthened along with the middle abs. Many people are of the opinion, that one has to spend a number of hours doing the most effective ab exercises, to see the results. However, it is far from true. One will not have to spend more than 10 to 15 minutes every alternate day to do ab exercises for men at home.

Bicycle Crunch
This exercise finds place in the top 10 most effective ab exercises. It works all the parts of the abdomen, therefore is the best exercise to work the abdominal muscles. To do the exercise, lie on your back and extend both your legs out straight. Place your hands behind your head, so that your neck is well supported. Now lift your upper body off the floor. Fold the right leg and bring it in towards the chest and try to touch the left elbow to the right knee. Now gradually extend the right leg out straight and fold the left leg in. this time try to touch the right elbow to the left knee. While you are doing the exercise, your legs or your shoulders should not touch the floor. Repeat the exercise for 10 to 12 repetitions on each of the legs.

Leg Pull-ins
This is one of the best ab exercises for men. Sit on the floor, such that your legs are bent and feet are placed in front of you. Place your hands behind you and balance your weight on your hands, as you lift your feet off the floor. Now bring your knees in closer to your chest and extend them straight in front of you without touching the floor. Repeat this best abdominal exercise for men 12 to 15 times, before you let your feet come down to the floor.

Plank Pose
This is a simple, yet among the effective ab exercises. Lie on the floor with your stomach resting on the floor. Place your palms on the floor, exactly below your shoulder, such that if a person has to stand on you, he should not be able to see your hands. Now lift your chest, stomach and thighs off the floor, such that you are balancing your weight on your hands and your toes. Make sure your core does not drop down to the floor. Hold the position for 15 to 20 counts and slowly come down and repeat the pose.

V Crunch
This is a variation of the crunches exercise, which is commonly practiced. Lie on your back and lift your legs off the floor, such that they are perpendicular to the floor. Now place your hands behind your head and lift your shoulder off the floor and try to get the torso closer to your legs. Slowly come back down, but do not touch the shoulder to the floor and come back up again. When you are doing this exercise make sure you do not move your legs. Repeat the exercise 12 to 15 times.

Scissors
This is my personal favorite ab exercise. To do this exercise, lie on your back and place your hands next your body. Extend your legs out straight. Gradually lift your legs 8 to 10 inches off the floor and cross the legs once and release the cross immediately. Now lift your legs up in the air, so that they are perpendicular to the floor. Cross the legs in the opposite side, release the crossing and lower the legs. However, do not touch the floor and repeat the exercise. This exercise should be repeated 12 to 15 times.

Along with these ab exercises, it is important you also include some cardiovascular exercise in your daily routine. Before you do these exercises, it is important that you do some warm up exercises, to prevent any kind of injury. Remember, proper nutrition is also required to see the best results of these exercises.