Best Abs Exercises For Building That 6 Pack
recent years there has been a revolution in the emphasis we
place on our bodies. One of the things that we all seem to desire is
a perfectly flat and well toned abdominal area. In this article we
will briefly look at creating that perfect six-pack and the three best
abs exercises.
There are primarily two reasons why we want to look good. Firstly
we want to look good because it makes us feel good. When you
feel good about your body it gives you an inner sense of pride and
esteem for your ‘self’. Secondly, we want to look good to others
because this makes us more attractive to them. In our culture there
seems to be an emphasis on looking good and it is one of those
things we value. A great body is something that is both valued and
admired and looking good obviously makes you feel more
‘worthy’ and admired.
Well toned abdominal muscles (abs) or a six-pack, as it is
commonly referred to, is in many ways a symbol of health and
fitness. Mainly because it is probably the most problematic area of
anyone’s body. We therefore value it highly and someone with sixpack
abs must be incredibly committed, healthy, fit and strong – or
at least that is the ‘hidden’ reasoning behind it and that is why you
subconsciously want great abs. So, how do you get those great abs?
Here are the three best abs exercises:
Best Abs Exercise #1 - Sit-Ups
This is the one that everybody seems to know about but the
majority of people do wrong. Remember that the smallest
adjustments can make all the difference and we want our workouts
to be as effective as possible to get the most out of every minute
we exercise. Here’s how to do proper sit ups:
Lie flat on the floor with your legs stretched out and your arms
beside you. Lift your knees up by bringing your feet closer towards
your body – about the distance from your heels to your carve
muscle. Cross your hands over your chest and lift your body all the
way up so that even your lower back lifts off the floor. Stay there
for about 3 seconds and then gently lower yourself. Repeat about
20 of these in 3 to 4 sets, but don’t strain yourself – especially if
you haven’t done it for a while. As you build your ab muscles you
can start making it more challenging by sitting on an inclined
bench or by holding a weight over your chest.
Best Abs Exercise #2 - Crunches
Once again, lying flat on your back, pull your legs towards your
body slightly. With your arms crossed over your chest tighten your
by ‘pulling’ your abdomen towards your spine as you inhale.
Now lift your shoulders off the floor and don’t lift your body all
the way up – you just need to lift your shoulders to tighten your
abs. As you lift your shoulders you want to exhale. Stay there for
about 3 seconds and gently lower your shoulders. In the lowered
position you should relax your abs. Now repeat.
The key here is to focus only on your abdominal area as you do
this. Flexing your abs and proper breathing is essential – remember
that your breathing originates in your abdomen with your
diaphragm. Repeat 10 to 20 times and do 3 to 4 sets of these.
Best Abs Exercise #3 - Leg Lifts
Your abs are a very important muscle group as it is a ‘pivot point’
in your body. With leg lifts we use this deliberately to tone our abs.
Lie flat on your back with your legs extended and your arms beside
you. Place your hands flat on the floor beside you and in this
position, with your legs straight, lift your legs up as far as you can.
Preferably your legs should be up in a 90 degree angle with the
floor, but this might be difficult for some at first. Then, slowly
lower your legs, but do not let your feet touch the ground. Repeat
10 to 20 times and do 3 to 4 sets of these.
These three exercises are by no means the only way to get great
abs. In my opinion they are the best abs exercises, but you still
have to combine them with proper cardiovascular exercise like
running, swimming or cycling as it will help you loose weight
while also targeting the abdominal muscles. And last, but not least,
you have to control your diet. Fatty foods tend to ‘gather’ around
the abdominal area which might make your workouts worthless.
