Alternative ab exercises??!!

ebony__

I hate doing crunches and sit ups (still try and do some occasionally)
Can anyone suggest some other abdominal/ psoas / ql's (basically general mid section) exercises alternative to sit ups and crunches to mix it up a bit?

( suitable for a beginner like me)

weightloser85

i have a lot of trouble with abs myself, i do a lot of flutter kicks, it is when you lay on your back with your legs about 12 inches off the ground and you put your hands under your butt to support yourself, then kick your legs like you would if you were swimming. do that with a 4 count, like 1-2-3-4 =1 rep. also if you use an exercise ball to do abs cause that will help you work secondary muscles

RoanneRed

Planks and side planks.

kimothy38

Planks and push ups give the abs a good workout.

ebony__

Cool
I hurt my wrist at work and can only do push ups if I tape it an still just a few but planks are good.
And the flutter kick thing sounds good too, if I can figure out how to do it properly, sounds like it'd work adductors too?
Thanks guys

pinkraynedropjacki

Suck them in. It works. Do that really quick... in out in out..... then keep them sucked in as long as you can all day. Hard work... but it works cause they are working full time

ebony__

Haha wow does that really work?

Moniqua1

I started doing planks and now I do a couple of exercises that I definitely feel. One is to katy on your back in crunch position lift your legs up straight to 90 degrees from the floor, once there, bend them and do a full crunch, straighten your legs and take them down slowly. Repeat. The other one is weird too. I sit on the arm of my chair, grab two sides for stability, lean back and do leg lifts/crunches using the chair almost like an exercise ball.

CaseRat

Check out the 'Ab Ripper X' from the P90X program. Should be some clips on youtube. Hardest core workout I've done in my life.

rkr22401

Squats (no that's not a typo)

mskatee

If you like exercise DVDs try Chalene's Cardio Party Turbo Jam. You do these knee lift things that are like standing crunches--lots of ab work but as it's built into the routine you don't notice it!

I hate crunches too.

ebony__

Squats (no that's not a typo)

I like squats . I try to do them 3-4 times a week.. And more than that and my quads hate me . ( they'll live me for it in the end!)

ebony__

If you like exercise DVDs try Chalene's Cardio Party Turbo Jam. You do these knee lift things that are like standing crunches--lots of ab work but as it's built into the routine you don't notice it!

I hate crunches too.

Hmm I don't even have a DVD player but they sound good.

Chris_Anne

Slendertone Ab Toning belt.....PRICELESS,
I've used one for ten years and i'm on my fourth one....if it broke today I would go out and buy a fifth.
Tip...turn the intensity up as high as you can stand it, if it's too low it will just tickle you...
When your abs ache the next day then you've had it high enough....work your way up to the highest setting

LittleNicci

BuMp

CaseRat

Slendertone Ab Toning belt.....PRICELESS,
I've used one for ten years and i'm on my fourth one....if it broke today I would go out and buy a fifth.
Tip...turn the intensity up as high as you can stand it, if it's too low it will just tickle you...
When your abs ache the next day then you've had it high enough....work your way up to the highest setting

....uh. You're kidding, right?

ebony__

Slendertone Ab Toning belt.....PRICELESS,
I've used one for ten years and i'm on my fourth one....if it broke today I would go out and buy a fifth.
Tip...turn the intensity up as high as you can stand it, if it's too low it will just tickle you...
When your abs ache the next day then you've had it high enough....work your way up to the highest setting

....uh. You're kidding, right?

I thought those things were just a scam?

Chris_Anne

Definitely not kidding....they are worth every penny, just don't be scared of how hard they crunch your abs when on the highest intensity....remember, no pain, no gain.
These belts work, I can not physically crunch as hard as the belt does it for me.
Put it on in the morning whilst pottering about or choose to lay down with it on and let it do all the work for you.
Tip......don't bent down to put washing in the washer whilst it's crunching your abs (that hurts)

ebony__

This is really shocking to hear I thought they were a load of bull, but I'm not beyond givin something a try even if I'm skeptical..
Would the brand matter?

IronSmasher

You can do planks on your forearms, so your wrist shouldn't be an issue.

Hanging knee raises or using the captain's chair.

Weighted sit ups, swiss ball crunches, reverse crunches, leg raises, there's millions.

obsidianwings

The only ones I can think of that haven't already been mentioned or isn't a variation of a crunch is prone jackknives.

bluex232

Someone else mentioned the Ab Ripper from p90x , here is a site that has the exercises from that video. This is the routine I do (I am working on Abs, Hips, and Thighs)

On this website I do 25 of the... (http://2012lastfatyear.blogspot.ca/2012_01_01_archive.html)
-In and Outs
-Bicycles
-Crunchy Frogs
-Scissor Kicks
-Hip Butt Ups
-Heels to Heavens
-Kayakers

Then I also do
-Crunches
-Leg swings (x25) (sit on the edge of a chair with legs straight out and swing them up and down alternately)
-Wall Squat (30-60 seconds)
-Plank (I add 25 leg lifts while in this position) (http://weightloss.allwomenstalk.com/best-exercises-for-a-perfect-butt/18/)
-Leg lifts (laying on your side, I do a set (25) lifting the top leg and then a set (25) lifting the bottom leg)
-Push Ups (usually about 15-20) (I do them on the stairs for now until I get more strength to do the real ones, lol)
-Burpees (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjCgoa7C01M&feature=related) Skip to about 3 minutes 40 seconds for an example
-I jog up stairs (10 minutes)

ebony__

Thanks so much for all these great responses.
Yeah my wrist isn't a problem for planks.
A lot of these exercises I don't know what are, and I can only do the 'at home ' ones ( single mum, young kid)
But I'll look them up and get on to it.
I like to have some variation

bluex232

Yea, def check out the ones I posted, they are all ones you can do at home, no equipment needed (I have 2 little ones I am home all day with so I actually do mine at work overnights on my breaks). 8-)

babenes

I like to do reverse crunches, cable crunches, or hanging leg raises.

jennaworksout

planks and leg raises

PrincessNikkiBoo

bump

dr_tina

Yes, as suggested look for clips from Ab Ripper X (from P 90 X). I have done that workout 2x a week for several months and it is killer. The whole thing together is really intense and hard for a beginner, but it can give you many examples of various things you can do.

IronSmasher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB2oyawG9KI

ladylu11

abdominal straight leg extension

abdominal bicycles

crunches

mountain climbers

abdominal arm-leg reach

scissor kicks

elevators

ab crunch w/ a chair

ab crunch ball with knee lift

ad crunch legs extended up

You should be able to youtube these to get instructions

Sweet_Mama81

Definitely look into Chalene's Ab Jam...part of the Turbo Jam workouts. 10 mins standing abs workout and 10 mins on the floor.