When it comes to losing weight, problem areas differ depending on genetics and other factors. But for most people, the abdominal area is the one we generally target for aesthetic and health reasons. We all have some form of belly fat but having too much can lead to many health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes, and many other health issues. Learning how to incorporate ab workouts into your exercise routine can add years to your life.
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Exercise and healthy eating go hand in hand when fighting the battle against the bulge. First, follow a healthy eating plan that includes fresh vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and lean meats such as chicken or fish. Next, incorporate the following 7 ab exercises into your exercise routine to target your abdominal area with a series of crunches and core workouts to help you get rid of stubborn belly fat for good!
1) Ab Workouts: Bent Leg Jackknife Ab Workout Exercise – 15 Reps
The bent leg jackknife is an effective ab workout exercise that tightens your core and targets other muscles in your legs and back. First, you’ll want to lie on your back with your arms extended back while keeping your legs straight. Next, you’ll want to simultaneously bend your knees and raise your torso as far as you can to crunch those abs! Then, return to the same position and repeat this ab workout exercise for 15 repetitions.
2) Ab Workouts: Bicycle Crunches – 50 Reps
Whether you call them bicycle crunches or ab bikes, it is one of the best ab workout exercises ever that targets every core muscle including obliques. First, lie on the floor in a relaxed position with your back and legs against the ground. Next, place your hands behind your head and gently pull your shoulder blades up while raising your knees to a 90-degree angle. Then, you’ll want to go through a pedaling motion with your legs and rotate your torso by bringing up your elbow to the opposite knee. Alternate the ab workout movement for up to 50 repetitions.
3) Ab Workouts: Straight Leg Sit-Ups and Twist – 20 Reps
Straight leg sit-ups are a powerhouse on their own but throw in a twist and you’re making this ab workout exercise even more effective at targeting the abs, obliques, and your back. Just like on your back in a relaxed position with your hands behind your head. Then, keeping your legs straight, lift your upper body off the floor performing a sit-up. At the end of the ab workout movement, twist your torso and reach the floor next to your left leg using your right arm. Untwist and return to the starting position and repeat the same ab workout movement with the opposite arm and leg.
4) Toe Taps – 20 Reps
Target your abs with this toe tap ab workout that will also get your heart pumping. First, lie on your back then raise your legs to a 90-degree angle with your arms either placed vertically parallel to your legs or stretch out behind you. Then, start the motion by lifting your torso off the floor and reaching your toes with your fingertips. Finally, relax and return to the start position. Perform the ab workout routine for 20 reps.
5) Russian Twists – 30 Reps
Like many of these ab workout exercises that involve a twist, Russian twists also effectively target all the muscles in your core making it one of our favorites. First, sit on the floor with your legs out straight. Then, lean back so that your legs and torso form a V shape while keeping your abs tight. Start the ab workout movement by twisting your torso side to side with your hands held together. Perform the ab workout for 30 reps.
6) Bent Leg Sit-Ups – 15 Reps
Sit-ups are probably some of the first exercises we learned as children and remain one of the best exercises ever for busting belly fat. First, lie on your back and bend your legs into a reverse V shape while keeping your feet planted on the floor. Next, place your hands behind your head and gently lift your torso using your core muscles. Finally, return to the starting position and repeat the ab workout exercise for 15 reps.
7) Flutter Kicks – 30 Reps
Flutter kicks are a great exercise for targetting lower abdominal muscles and are often a favorite in Pilates classes. First, lie on your back and place both legs at a 45-degree angle and lift your head slightly off the ground. Then, perform the ab workout movement by lifting up your right leg while bringing your left leg down. Alternate the movement with the opposite leg while keeping your core engaged. Repeat for 30 reps per leg.
When it comes to a fit body, you get what you work for. Work hard and get the results you want!
“Putting the ab in fabulous.”
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