Improve Your Ab Routine with This 15-Minute Workout
Active Lifestyle
Consult your physician before starting any diet and/or exercise plan.
Forget following the latest fad diet, and ignore those infomercials trying to sell you the latest ab machine by promising you a six-pack in no time. If you want to tighten up your stomach, you have to monitor your food intake and exercise regularly, plain and simple.
Finish off your workout with this routine three or four times per week, use our healthy eating section to improve your eating plan, and switch up these new exercises with some others in the Abs Exercises section. And if you want to fine-tune your overall routine with something that works fast, choose Hydroxycut®. It's a product that has research behind its ingredients, and it's a smarter choice than throwing your money away on a machine you saw on TV that'll probably just end up taking space in your closet.
(Click here for preview of the e-booklet.)
Stomach (lower) or Rectus Abdominus
Position and Movement
Lay on the floor with your legs bent, feet flat on the floor, and your hands placed at sides ready to balance your body as you raise your legs. Bring your knees upwards towards your chest in a slow controlled motion. Bring them up as high as you can to get a good contraction in your abs. Hold at the top for a count of 2, then lower then back down towards the floor.
Tip
To make the movement a little more advanced, once you do your first rep, don't let your feet touch the floor again until you are done the entire set. This will help keep them working during the entire set instead of resting your feet on the floor between reps.
Stomach (upper) or Rectus Abdominus
Stomach (side) or Serratus Anterior and Obliques
Position and Movement
Lay on the floor with your legs bent, feet flat on the floor, as if you were going to do a standard crunch. Bring your body over to one side instead of straight up. To get adequate movement, turn your shoulder slightly inwards to point your elbow at the opposite leg.
Tip
As with any exercise, a good workout depends on adequate muscle contractions. While doing ab exercises, breathe out as you raise your body, and breathe in as you lower it back to the floor. This will help get an optimal contraction as your abs will help to push air out (as muscles contract) and bring air in (as muscles relax).
Stomach (upper) or Rectus Abdominus
Stomach (lower) or Rectus Abdominus
Position and Movement
Begin this movement lying flat on the floor. Lift your arms, upper torso and legs off the floor until only your glutes are touching the floor. Bring your upper body and legs towards each over until you are in a semi v-shaped position. Hold for 2 seconds, then straighten your body again. Balance is key for this movement. It is not easy but after a few workouts you'll get familiar with it and you'll notice how well it simultaneously works your upper and lower abs.
Tip
Keep your head in a neutral position during the movement, and don't tuck it into your chest as you
sit up.
