Ab Workouts and Ab Exercises

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Ab Workouts

Build Monster Abs with these proven Ab Exercises!

Ab workouts are probably the most popular type of exercises, as everyone seems to want six pack abs! On this page you will find all the tried and tested, best ab exercises around. There are pictures for each ab workout to ensure you perfect your technique, which will ensure you get the most benefit and avoid the risk of injury.

It's best to vary the workouts you use, to make sure you're working all of the muscles around your mid-section and to help you stay motivated and avoid getting bored with your routine. ab workouts, six pack abs, six pack, abs

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In truth, the best way to begin your quest for 6 pack abs and achieve truly ripped abs, is good nutrition, resistance training and cardio interval workouts 3-4 times per week. This will help to shift the stomach fat that hides your abs much more effectively than ab exercises alone. It's when you begin to get fairly trim that ab workouts become more important because without shifting the fat first, your hard work will go un-noticed!

Once you've lost a few pounds through healthy eating and regular workouts, you can use some of these ab workouts to build and define your newly discovered six pack abs!

Using this website will give you the best chance of getting the six pack abs you want.

Here at LiveGood you will find information for all the important aspects of getting a flat stomach, ie; cardio, strength training, good nutrition and abdominal exercises, rather than just one or two killer ab workouts that you might find on websites trying to sell you the newest/easiest/quickest way to washboard abs!

Ab Workouts alone WILL NOT give you the 6 pack abs you want!

Please take the time to browse our Nutrition Facts section and the rest of our Fitness Depot and use the information there, combined with a few of the ab workouts on this page and you WILL achieve the look you want.

Our top ab workouts are below. However, if there's an exercise that's not here that you think we should have included, add your own favorite Abdominal Exercises HERE!

Upload YOUR OWN Ab Exercise Videos - CLICK HERE!

Ab Crunches/Sit-Ups

We will start with the classic abdominal crunch.

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Step 1
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor in front of you. Lie on an exercise mat rather than a hard floor for more comfort and to prevent back strain.

Step 2
Position your feet apart at hip width.

Step 3
Place your hands in a comfortable position behind your head.

Step 4
Hold your elbows out to the sides slightly and keep your chin pointing to the ceiling.

Step 5
Curl your torso up and forward so that your head, neck and shoulder blades lift off the floor. Be sure not to pull your head forward with your hands, your abs need to do the work! Keep your head facing the ceiling and do not allow your chin to touch your chest.

Step 6
Pause in the 'up' position for a moment. Lift your head up enough so that your middle and lower back stay on the floor. Squeeze your abs while in this position.

Step 7
Slowly lower your head, neck and shoulder blades back down to the starting position.

*IMPORTANT*
Keep your knees bent, your feet in the same position and your back straight throughout the entire exercise.

The Plank

The Plank is an endurance exercise and is a great workout for the abs, back and stabilizer muscles.

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Step 1
Lie face down on an exercise mat, elbows bent, resting on your forearms.

Step 2
Push up off the floor, onto your toes and resting on your elbows.

Step 3
Ensure your back is straight throughout.

Step 4
Tense your abdominals and tilt your pelvis to prevent your butt from sticking up into the air!

Step 5
Hold for 30-60 seconds. Lower, and repeat 5-10 reps.

Captain's Chair Knee Raise

The Captain's Chair Knee Raise is one of the most effective ab workouts there is! You will find a Captain's Chair in most gyms.

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Step 1
Stand on the chair and grip the handholds to stabilize your upper body.

Step 2
Press your back up against the back pad and use your abs to raise your legs, bringing your knees toward your chest.

Step 3
Do not arch your back or swing your legs...let your abs do the work!

Step 4
Slowly lower back to the starting position and repeat for 8-10 reps.

*IMPORTANT*
Keep your knees bent to focus on your abs rather than the hip flexors. Also, avoid swinging or using momentum to bring your legs up.

The Bicycle

According to recent studies, the Bicycle is the best exercise for your rectus abdominus and your obliques (your six-pack and side abs).

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Step 1
Lie on an exercise mat with your hands behind your head.

Step 2
Draw your knees up towards your chest while lifting your shoulder blades up off the floor. DO NOT USE YOUR HANDS TO PULL ON YOUR NECK!

Step 3
Straighten your left leg out while twisting your torso to the right, bringing your left elbow towards your right knee.

Step 4
Now do it again with the opposite leg, twisting your torso the other way and bringing your right elbow towards your left knee.

Step 5
Continue 'cycling', doing 8-10 reps each side.

Exercise Ball Crunch

The Exercise Ball is a cost effective, versatile addition to any gym. Using it for abs crunches is a great way to strengthen the abs.

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Step 1
Lie with your mid/lower back on the ball, your legs bent and feet flat on the floor.

Step 2
Place your hands behind your head or, for beginners, cross them over your chest.

Step 3
Contract your abs and lift your upper torso off the ball, pulling your ribs toward your hips.

Step 4
As you curl your body up, ensure you keep the ball stable, not allowing it to roll!

Step 5
Lower to the starting position, stretching your abs, then repeat for 8-10 reps.

Reverse Crunch

Another good move for the rectus abdominus, the Reverse Crunch is another of our faves!

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Step 1
Lie on an exercise mat with your hands in a comfortable position to the side or behind your head.

Step 2
Using your abs, bring your knees in toward your chest until they're bent at around 90 degrees, keeping your feet either together or crossed.

Step 3
Keeping your abs contracted, continue to curl your legs up until your hips leave the floor. Reach your legs up toward the ceiling.

Step 4
Slowly lower back to the starting position and repeat for 8-10 reps.

*IMPORTANT*
For the maximum benefit, use your abs to control the movement. Do not swing your legs or use momentum to complete the exercise.

Tell us about YOUR Best Ab Exercise - CLICK HERE!

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