Ab Exercises?

Shelly_here
Shelly_here Posts: 44 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone!

Can anyone recommend a good ab exercise routine?

The only exercises i do at the minute are crunches and the dreaded plank. Compared to all the different arm/leg routines I know, it seems a little lax!

I've googled but would wanted to see if anyone has any particular favourites :)

thanks in advance!xx

Replies

  • leilaphoenix
    leilaphoenix Posts: 839 Member
    Bicycle crunches. AAAAAAAAAAAA
  • JKing727
    JKing727 Posts: 34
    Not sure exactly what it is called since everyone calls it something different... But it is where you are laying flat on the ground and then crunch your legs up (while they are straight) and have your arms over your head to crunch your upper half to touch your toes.. i usually do it with a medicine ball for an extra burn.. I love that one! I call it a medicine ball toe touch.
  • JKing727
    JKing727 Posts: 34
    Oh - and pike ups on the yoga ball
  • oameyers
    oameyers Posts: 76 Member
    Hip Hop Abs video...it's a little silly but it works
  • Shelly_here
    Shelly_here Posts: 44 Member
    thanks! :)
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Ab wheel
  • mcstenger85
    mcstenger85 Posts: 3
    P90X, the Ab Ripper X video, 16 minutes of nothing but abs
  • MireyGal76
    MireyGal76 Posts: 7,334 Member
    boxing is awesome for the obliques... and the abs.

    medicine ball crunches... tap the ball over your head bring to your chest and crunch to your knees
    or do the same but tap the ball to the floor by your butt, alternating sides.

    don't forget the side planks too.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    These are some of my favorites:

    Crunchy frogs
    Bicycle crunches
    Full sit up with medicine (weighted) ball
    Twist with medicine ball
    Bridge/pelvic thrust
    Squirms
    Supermans
    Double crunch
    Jack-*kitten*: this is a move we adapted from a hip extension exercise. On all fours, extend left arm and extend right leg, alternate sides for 15 reps then hold on each side for 30 seconds.
    And for the record, I hate planks but I still do them...
  • KittyViolet
    KittyViolet Posts: 220 Member
    The dreaded Russian twist. Assume a seated position with your feet planted on the floor and your knees bent. Lean your upper body back until you can feel the strain in your abs. Then, twist your upper body left to right. Want it to burn more? Lift your feet off the ground, so you're balancing on your bum, and hold a dumbbell or kettlebell in your hands while you twist. Feels good, man. :)

    My instructor has also got us doing static sit-ups now. Assume the same seated position as the Russian twist and lean back until you feel the strain in your abs. Now HOLD IT. You should start to shake from the effort. After a 10 second hold, sit up. At home, I hold for 10, and relax for 5, and do this for 10 reps every night. In class, our instructor doesn't give us much of a break between static sit-ups lol. If you want to increase the burn, hold your arms straight out at your sides. And for even more, hold them straight out over your head. I haven't managed to do it with my arms over my head yet.

    If you want to make your planks more effective, you can do a switch plank for 30 second reps. Start out on your elbows, then hoist yourself up to a push-up plank, then lower yourself back to your elbows.

    Finally, I enjoy doing renegade planks. No idea if that's what they're actually called lol. Assume a push-up plank position, but hold onto some dumbbells and keep your feet apart. Then, slowly raise one arm up to touch your side. Lower it back, and repeat with the other arm. This exercise makes me feel like my entire body is going to fall apart after about 14 reps.

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