Answers/

Fitness

Emily R.
Emily R. Sendmail

Best Ab Workouts?

asked almost 3 years ago | Report

I want to hear your absolute best and most kick butt ab workout (and/or core workout)! With detailed instructions on how to do it!

Please and thank you :)

Answer

6 answers

scroll to bottom
  • Kristen F.PRO
    Kristen F. Sendmail

    I would urge you to instead look into 'core' workouts - these are much more beneficial to your abdominal area.

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

    • 0
      thumbs up
    • 1
      thumbs down
  • Brady Matthew R.
    Brady Matthew R. Sendmail

    Look up the "200 Sit-ups challenge" on this site. I’ve been using it and so far I’ve doubled my performance. The key is to keep your heart rate up while doing manageable sets of either crunches, sit-ups, or some other machine based workout. As long as it gets you sweaty but doesn’t destroy you every day, you're ok. If you're looking for a specific workout, do the search and it gives you a comprehensive week based set system that works pretty well.(For me anyway. :D)

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

    • 0
      thumbs up
    • 0
      thumbs down
  • Felog
    Felog Sendmail

    Did somebody say core?

    On a Swiss Ball, I'll do:

    - abdominal crunches
    - oblique crunches
    - planks
    - bridges
    - back extensions
    - pushups

    Without the ball I'll do:

    - bicycle crunches
    - heel touches
    - pikes
    - side crunches

    This is a 20-30 minute routine when you get it down.

    answered almost 3 years ago |edited almost 3 years ago |Report

    • 1
      thumbs up
    • 0
      thumbs down
  • Stephanie Y.
    Stephanie Y. Sendmail

    Pilates.

    Hands down.

    I, for years, did tons of ab workouts that were super intense and (I thought) targeted all my abdominal muscles, while I slimmed down a bit, I never saw any flatness from all my hard work.

    Then after a few friends urged me to take Pilates, I started doing so twice a week and saw a noticeable difference in the flatness of my abs. It works wonders. Try it. It's not what you think it is if you've never taken a class. :)

    The reason it works is because it focuses on the entire body, not just a few muscles in the stomach. Mainly your back, abs, obliques, hips, etc. Working all these muscles and doing so together produces unbelievable results. I recommend it to anyone trying to get thinner in the middle!!

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

    • 3
      thumbs up
    • 0
      thumbs down
  • Apollo L.
    Apollo L. Sendmail

    Here's one I called "Abnihilator". It was not pretty.

    http://www.dailymile.com/people/apollo/entries/59688

    5 rounds for time:
    * 25 kettlebell swings (53 lb kettlebell)
    * 25 GHD situps
    * 25 kettlebell back extensions (53 lb kettlebell)
    * 25 knees to elbows

    Last time I did that, it took 40 minutes.

    Knees to Elbows demo video: http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_Knees2Elbows.mov
    GHD Situp demo: http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_GHDSitupElements.mov
    Back & Hip Extensions: http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_GHD.wmv (although I do mine standing with a kettlebell, a la Pavel Tsatsouline's example in _Enter the Kettlebell_)
    Kettlebell Swings: http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_KBSwings.mov

    (When those sorts of exercises come up, they're to train midline stabilization. An explanation from Coach Glassman, CrossFit founder: http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_PittCoachQAWhatAboutAbs.mov )

    Good luck.

    answered almost 3 years ago |Report

    • 0
      thumbs up
    • 0
      thumbs down
  • Sam C.
    Sam C. Sendmail

    Planks are definetly a good idea, try to do them for at least a minute.

    You could try these things (i dont know what to call them) that i do- start in a push-up position and go down to a plank position one arm at a time, and then back up to a push up position. Go for at least 20.

    Bicycles are good too.

    When youre doing any ab excercise, gently touch your temple with your hands rather than holding your whole head to prevent your arms from doing all the work!

    answered over 2 years ago |Report

    • 0
      thumbs up
    • 0
      thumbs down

Similar Questions in Health & Fitness - Fitness