No Crunches Ab Workout

January 10, 2010 by admin  
Filed under Training

Almost everyone who goes to the gym dreams about getting those ripped, 6-pack abs. A lot of women find it sexy and there is no better way to show off your physique, fitness level, and discipline than to have those abs in check every time you take off your shirt.

While crunches is truly one of, if not the best ab workout available, the truth is there are other forms of exercise that should be able to help you build and develop your abs muscles. You no longer have to subject yourself with hundreds of crunches everyday as these routines should add some variety in your quest for those toned and sexy abs.

One of the more effective abs exercises out there is the side leg raise. This particular type of abs workout works on your balance and also focuses on the development of the obliques. To begin with, you must move into a plank position. Adjust your body until you find yourself in a sideways position, facing the wall. You then lift your leg as high and as far away from your body as you can. The challenge here is not only doing a whole set of reps, but also keeping your balance in the process.

Another ab workout routine is the single-leg raised squat. For those that already have strong quads, this routine should further develop your abdominal core muscles. You begin by balancing on one leg and lifting the other one in front of you as high as you can. Once you get your balance right, squat using your standing leg as low as you can, while still keeping the other leg raised. Do around 10 reps before switching legs.

Lastly, we also have what’s known as the renegade row. As with other abs exercises, this one also requires good coordination and balance. This isn’t exactly for beginners as you would have to start in a plank position except that you’re balancing on two dumbbells that should be shoulder-width apart. You then have to lift one of the dumbbells away from your body, towards the ceiling as high up as you can. Once it is placed back in place, raise the other dumbbell towards the opposite direction. Increase difficulty by adding more weight to your dumbbells.

With an excellent ab workout plan in place, you should be able to get that 6-pack you’ve always wanted in no time. Just be sure to have some variety in your program so that it doesn’t get boring and too repetitive.