What are Some Ideas for an Abdominal Workout?

There are many ways to get an abdominal workout, and among the most popular are crunches. Crunches are abdominal exercises that resemble sit-ups, only they are a bit easier. To do them, you recline flat on your back, keeping your knees bent and your hands crossed on your chest. Tucking in your chin just a bit, you then contract your abs and curl your upper body. You stop once you’ve successfully lifted your shoulders off the floor, holding the position for a second or two and then going back to your starting position.

Reverse crunches also deliver a good abdominal workout. To do them, you lie on your back and grab hold of something behind your head, such as a couch or something similarly heavy and stable. Then, you hold your upper body still and contract your abdominal muscles, bringing your feet off the floor and pulling your knees towards your chest.

While crunches can deliver a good abdominal workout, they are not the only option for toning your abs. Some people also try floor bicycle exercises to tone their abdominal muscles. To do this type of exercise, you lie on the floor facing upward and put your hands behind your head. Then, you move your knees up towards your upper body and pull your shoulders off the ground, taking care to avoid pulling on your neck. You then straighten one leg out while turning your upper body to the opposite side and bringing your elbow towards the opposite knee. Then, you switch sides, so that you alternate bringing the left elbow to the right knee and the right elbow to the left knee.

Some people even use things like hula hoops to get an abdominal workout. The simple act of swiveling the body consistently enough to keep a hula hoop in motion provides an abdominal workout. Additionally, experimenting with different speeds and directions can help to burn fat and tone abs even faster.

No matter what type of abdominal workout a person chooses, it’s a good idea to combine it with a healthy diet that is low in fat and sugar. It is much more difficult to realize the benefits of abdominal workouts with an unhealthy, fat-laden diet. Additionally, it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen, making sure doing so is safe for you.