Ab Workouts

Ab workouts are meant to make abdominal muscles strong although fat does not reduce through abs workouts. Ab workouts may help get six pack abs but that may not be easily possible as six pack abs requires a particular gene-type and low fat diet also. However, ab workouts also increase the body metabolism.

Types of ab workouts

Firm abdomen can be easily achieved by following certain prescribed workouts. There are three types of ab workout meant for beginners, intermediaries and advance. Any one of these three can be performed with ease and at least 3 to 4 times a week to get a stronger ab muscles. Abdomen consists of there types of muscles; that are oblique lower and upper muscles. All these three types are worked out to make them flexible. It is quite possible if the set of different ab workouts are repeated after a reasonable rest in between the set. There should be a rest of at least of 20 to 30 seconds between the two sets. The number of repetitions is increased with time till it reaches 20. It is also necessary to follow a routine of ab workouts and a combination of workouts is always better for the abdomen muscles.

Some key ab workouts

Bicycle exercise: This exercise is most suited for rectus and oblique muscles if done in the right manner. It also provides a lean torso. But be careful about the back as excess pressure on the back may create trouble. For this always keep ab muscles contracted while driving a bicycle. It is done slowly and thoroughly with 15 to 16 repetitions.

Plank: The plank is also very good workout for the ab muscles. It targets the transverse abdominis and the back muscles. It is done with the help of hands or elbows. The position of the body is same like that of push ups. The position of the body is more or less like a straight line. It should be done as long possible.

Crunches on a ball: An exercise and workout ball is supposed to be very useful for ab muscles. A ball should always be preferred the floor for ab workouts. It provides challenge not only to the ab muscles but also to the leg and butt muscles.

Reverse crunch: Reverse crunch targets the oblique muscles of the abdomen. Lower portion of the abs is also stretched in reverse crunch. Reverse crunch is done in many ways and an exercise ball is also helpful in the process of reverse crunch. It is always better to lift the back off the floor while doing reverse crunch but momentum is always avoided in this exercise.

Ab slide: ab slide affects the ab muscles in many ways. But it is always done with the help of a good trainer and back is always taken care of while doing ab slide. In ab slide body is rolled over keeping it straight with the help of hands and then ab muscles are contracted afterwards. Sliding is done with the help of ab wheel, torso track or card board.

There are more than these ab workouts that may be followed but with caution.