Most Effective Ab Exercises

All of us have some exercises, which we are particularly fond of and some which we cringe to do. There can be multiple reasons, as to why do we like certain exercises. This is especially true of the ab exercises. Many people are fond of certain exercises, because they give results. All the focus is often on the ab exercises, because nobody likes a huge belly. Hence, you will see most of the fitness training programs having effective ab exercises as a part of the schedule. I would like to mention at the onset itself, that 'effective' is a relative term, as some exercises can be 'most effective' for person X, but they may not show results for person Y. So depending on many factors, these exercises will become most effective for that person.

Simple Yet Most Effective Ab Exercises

Let's see, which are the exercises, that belong to the effective category and hence need to be included in your workout routine.

Long Arm Crunch
When I read this name, I went 'Phew! What on earth was long arm crunch now?'. Well it is not difficult, but a variation of the normal crunches, which we all do. It is however, more effective as compared to the regular crunch. Do to this exercise, lie on the floor, extend your hands above your head and fold your legs and place your feet on the floor. Lift your torso and your hands off the floor and try to bring your chest towards your knees, but keep your arms extended. Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat this exercise for 2 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions each.

Exercise Ball Ab Crunch
This exercise has proved to be an effective abdominal exercise for women. You will need to use the exercise ball to do this exercise. Lie on the ball facing the ceiling. The exercise ball should support the lower back. Now cross your arms over the chest or you may alternatively choose to support your neck with your hands. The next step is difficult, as you will have to lift up your torso off the ball, but make sure that the ball is stable and that it is not rolling over. Since the lower back is on the ball, the abs have a healthy stretch, making them effective. Start off with one set of 10 counts and gradually increase the number of sets as well as the counts in your exercise balls workouts.

Bicycle Maneuver
This is one of the most effective lower ab exercises. Lie flat on the floor and place your hands to support your neck. Fold your knees to make a 45 degrees angle and slowly make the bicycle pedal motion. As you do the pedal motion, you will have to attempt to touch your left elbow to the right knee and vice versa. This exercise is to be repeated for 10 to 12 counts for each leg, but make sure that you are not holding your breath as you do the exercise.

Captain's Chair
You necessarily do not have to visit the gym to do this exercise. You can also do this exercise on any chair at home, which has hand rests. Place your buttocks on the edge of the chair and stabilize the upper body by gripping the hand rest. Now slowly lean your torso towards the back rest of the chair. To come to the starting position for this exercise, lift your feet off the floor. Slowly start to lift your knees and bring them closer to the chest. Make sure, you do this in a controlled motion and slowly lower the knees, till they are again hanging. It can be very difficult to do this exercise initially, but with practice, you will be able to do it easily.

Reverse Curls
It is an effective lower abdominal exercise, to be more precise. To do this exercise, lie on the floor and place your hands to the sides , cross your feet at the ankles and lift them off the floor. Your legs should make a 90 degree angle with the floor. As you do this, make sure that your lower back is pressed on the floor and then contract the abdominal muscles. Now slowly rotate your hips slightly, try to reach your legs towards the ceiling and try to lift your hips off the floor. Exhale as you contract the muscles and inhale when you return to the starting position.

Along with the most effective ab exercises, you will also have to include some muscle building exercises as well as cardiovascular exercises to get those perfectly flat abs. Doing these ab exercises will help you to keep your abs trim and fit.