Sunday, April 15, 2012

Ab Workouts for 6 Pack Abs

Ab workouts won’t help you lose belly fat alone but you will develop a strong core which keeps your body healthy and protects your spine. The most effective ab workout is the bicycle exercise because it targets the rectus abdominis or 6 pack abdomen and the obliques most effectively according to the American Council on Exercise study.

To perform the bicycle ab exercise, lie face up on your mat and place your hands behind your head, supporting it with your fingers. Bring the knees into the chest and lift the shoulders blades off the floor without pulling on the neck. Rotate to the left, bringing the right elbow towards the left knee as you straighten the other leg. Switch sides, bringing the left elbow toward the right knee. Continue alternating sides in a pedaling motion for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps.



Next, the captain’s chair leg raise is the second most effective 6 pack ab workout for the rectus abdominis as well as the obliques. The key to keeping this move most effective is, first, to avoid swinging the legs or using momentum to bring the legs up. Second, keeping the knees bent will help you focus more on the abdominis and less on the hip flexors.

To do this ab workout, stand on the chair and grip handholds to stabilize your upper body. Press your back against the pad and contract your abs to raise the legs and lifts knees towards your chest. Don’t arch your back or swing your legs up. Slowly lower your back down and repeat for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps.

Finally, the third most effective ab workout for 6 pack abs in a short period of time is the exercise ball crunch. The exercise ball is excellent for strengthening your abs and targeting the rectus abdominis as well. This ab exercise is more effective than regular crunches on the floor because the legs are often involved in floor crunches. On the ball, the abs do more work, but you still involve the entire body to help stabilize you throughout the movement, a great bonus that floor crunches don’t offer.

To do the exercise ball crunch, lie on the ball, positioning it under your lower back. Cross your arms over the chest or place them behind your head. Contract your abs to lift your torso off the ball, pulling the bottom of your ribcage down toward your hips. As you curl up, keep the ball stable so the ball won’t roll. Lower your back down, getting a stretch in the abs, and repeat for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps.

These are the most effective ab workouts for 6 pack abs in a short period of time to strengthen your core or rectus abdominals. To lose belly fat fast you have to combine these ab workouts plus a healthy diet plan for best results. Don’t forget to consult with your doctor before you start any diet or exercise routines to lose belly fat.

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