Best Abdominal Exercises - Ab Workouts to 6-pack abs

Ever wondered what exercises really build six pack abs? Check these Best Abdominal Exercises and your abdominal muscles will pop out like never before. Get six pack abs now.

Welcome to ExerciseGoal's Best Abdominal Exercises Section

ExerciseGoals.com Recommends - The Truth About Abs Program

Abdominal Exercises have been researched a lot and we now have the best Ab exercises ever developed. Why not use them to get a beach physique?

Before I give you list of best Abdominal Exercises lets talk about Shredded Abs. They're certainly in high demand. Lets face it. Building 6 pack abs may well be the toughest goal there is in fitness. But the reward is ooh! so worth it. Abs are the center point of the body, so if someone has poor abs either in quality or quantity, then it's noticed immediately.

P.S. - You can share your favorite Abdominal Exercise or Workout with us and we will publish it on ExerciseGoals.com
 

As soon as summer grips up people run frantically to get 6 pack abs.  Stronger, firmer abs are a delight to look and feel. Here I will show you how to build them so that they pop out from a mile.
 

A big mistake many people and even bodybuilders make is that they skip abdominal exercise training. I remember my gym trainer suggesting a thin guy to forget abs as he is too thin. This trainer obviously thinks ab exercises reduce body fat. No wonder many people who should be on the treadmill are seen on ab machines. What a shame.
 

There are 2 steps to get sculpted abs.

1. Training and developing abdominals

2. Shed excess body fat to make them visible.

In step one I will show you the best abdominal exercises to build rock hard abs.
In step two I will show you how to reduce the excess body fat that makes all the hard work hide behind it.
 

The facts and fiction

Fiction

1. You do not need to perform 20 different exercises to get 6 pack abs

2. You do not need 1 hour a day 6 days a week of Abdominal training.{ Ah !! What a relief !! }

3. You do not need the latest ab machine used by some gizmo guy as seen on TV.
 

Facts

1. A desire to work hard on abs

2. High Intensity training with the best ab exercises I show you here

3. Proper diet and rest to ensure those gym trips are not a waste.

Abdominal Muscles

There are 3 abdominal muscles

1. Rectus Abdominis  2. External Obliques  3. Intercostals

The basic function of the abdominal muscles is to pull the rib cage and pelvis together. This movement is called "Crunching".

Step 1. Build Bigger Abdominal Muscles
 

Ab Specific Exercises
 

Remember all kinds of Abdominal Exercises are some kind of crunch.
 

Our main goal here is to build the front abs - the rectus muscles. The lateral abs - oblique muscles are stabilizers and will respond more to other exercises which I will discuss later.
 

Beginners

If you have never worked abs before then I highly suggest that you first build them with the king of Abdominal exercises - crunches. I will show you how to perform crunches and reverse crunches. These are the 2 mass builders. We will worry about toning later.
 

Advanced

Been working on abs? Got some results but not much to show off? Well Twisting Crunches, Leg trucks, twists are for you.

Competitive training

So you want to compete? Have you ever seen a bodybuilder with ill-developed abs? Well not the best ones at least. Competitive trainers should work abs with high intensity and also include weak point training if necessary.

Related Articles -The Best Lower Abdominal Exercises

Abdominal Exercises and Iliopsoas activity
 

This is a constant source of debate in the Abdominal Training world and no 2 experts agree. In the basic abdominal movement called the crunch the hip flexors activity limits and some say to certain extent eliminates the full effect on abdominal muscles.
 

Proper Body positioning is very important in Abdominal Training as any crunching movement beyond 30 degree involves psoas muscles and increases the chances of back injury. But if you follow the exercise techniques mentioned here you will have nothing to worry. Also check theCore Exercises and Workouts for a complete Lower Back Strength and stability.

The Best Abdominal Exercises
 

1. Crunches - These will be the foundation exercise for your abs workout. Emphasis on upper abs.

2.Reverse Crunches - These are a variation from Basic crunches but very effective. Emphasis on Lower abs

3. Side Bends and seated/bent-over twists works on the lateral oblique muscles as discussed.
 

Although in the Weight Training Workouts section I have included sample workouts  here I will show you intense Abdominal workout samples routines. Check the Sample Abdominal Exercises and Workouts Section to pick an ab workout best for you.
 

Other Abdominal Exercises
 

1. Leg Raises Exercises
2. Seated Leg Tucks
3. Vertical Bench Crunches
4. Hanging Reverse Crunches
5. Side Leg Raises and Front Kicks
6. Bench Kickbacks
7. Rear Leg Scissors
8. Abdominal Bicycle Crunch
9. Cable Crunches
10. Lower Abdominal Exercises.
11. Core Exercises
12. Stomach Flattening Exercises

Step 2. Shed off the excess Body fat and your abs will steer through a mile

Abdominal exercises will by themselves never create a visible washboard abs unless you have a very fast metabolism.

As Anthony Ellis says "Abs are made in the Kitchen, not in the gym".

You may have build Ab muscles but with a layer of fat around your stomach, they will remain invisible.

Losing the excess body fat is very doable but does require aerobic exercises. Check theWeight Loss Exercises Section and learn the short intense Aerobic exercises.

You do require a sound nutritional program to complement your efforts in the gym. Check the Diet Centre for more information.

ExerciseGoals.com Recommends - The Truth About Abs Program

Related Abdominal Exercises Websites

Flat Stomach Exercises - Want to lose stomach fat? Then I suggest you visit Lisa's Website. Don't forget to read her article on How to get rid ofLove Handles.

Back to Weight Training Exercises Database.

Back to Weight Training Exercises Homepage.

Please Bookmark this Article for futurereference.

If you have a new abdominal training tip, your favorite exercise or simply a new workout which you have found useful, please share it here and get famous.