The Best Ab Exercises
Doing the crunches is usually the first exercise that one performs when working out the abs. Most people think that crunches is the key to having slimmer, fitter, and sexier abs. But are there other abs exercises other than crunches that are effective in slimming the tummy?
Crunches have become popular all these years because they have proven very effective in keeping ripped and healthy abs. But despite their popularity, crunches have undergone transformations particularly on the way they are performed. The basic crunches we used to perform before have evolved into more safe and effective workouts. One example is crunches done while using an exercise ball. Here, a ball is placed under the lower or mid back. The arms are placed behind the back or crossed over to the chest. The abs is used to drag the lower part of the ribcage towards the hips. The aim is to maintain the stability of the ball.
Another improvement in the way crunches are done pertains to the placement of the arms. In the past, crunches were done by placing the hands behind the head or crossing them over the chest. Now, crunches can be done by extending the arms and keeping it at the back of the head. Individuals lift their shoulder blades through the use of the abs, while the arms are kept next to the ears. Individuals do not have to lie on the floor unlike the crunches which were done before.
One of the most effective abs exercises is the reverse crunch. What was then bringing the torso from the ground can now be replaced by bringing the knees towards the chest, with the feet kept together. The exercise aims to utilize the abs in lifting the hips from the floor instead of using the legs in creating momentum. There is also a variation of the crunch called full vertical crunch, wherein the upper and lower part of the abs are involved. This involves lying on the back with the legs extended pointing towards the ceiling. The hands are then placed behind the neck, while the shoulder blades are lifted from the floor. The person would then create ‘U’ figure by pressing the heels towards the ceiling.
There are other exercises can work on the abs just like crunches. One of them is the bicycle exercise which focuses on the rectus abdominis muscles which is critical in achieving a six-pack. This exercise involves the individuals lying on the floor, face up, with the hands placed behind the head. The knees are brought near the chest while the shoulder blades are lifted from the floor. The left leg is straightened while the upper body is turned to the right, with the left elbow touching the right knees. Switching sides will continue the exercise until 16 repetitions.
Other good abs exercises that can help in firming the tummy are captain’s chair leg raise as well as the abs rocker. Try these exercises to gain sexier, firmer, and good looking abs.
