ABS Workout: The Best ABS Working Out
The "best" ABS Working Out can vary depending on individual preferences and goals. However, here's a comprehensive abs working out routine that targets all areas of your core. If you want to improve your abs, the good news is that there are plenty of abs working out that can help you achieve that goal.
Even if you're not doing moves that focus directly on the abs, their position means they're worked hard by compound exercises that hit both the upper and lower body. Your core is also key to any exercise that requires your body to stabilize, such as static holds like planks or complex balancing acts like single-leg Romanian deadlifts.
Whether your goal is a six-pack or a little more definition around your midsection, compound lifts like squats, overhead presses, and deadlifts will help you get there, and they'll build strength throughout your body at the same time. That said, there's also room for a more focused abs working out, especially if you have designs on achieving a cover model-style six-pack.
The four-move circuits below offer both isolation exercises and compound moves, and all three options target different areas of your abs to make sure you're hitting them from every angle. The first abs working out focuses on your upper abs, the second focuses on the lower abs, and the final routine works the often-neglected side abs – or obliques – along with your deep core muscles.
While each circuit works as a quick stand-alone abs blast, you can tack them on to the end of your main training session to make sure your abs are getting the attention they deserve.
Read: How do I start working out with no experience?
If you want to sculpt a rock-hard six-pack, it's important to focus on both abdominal exercises and overall body fat loss.
Here are some of the best abs working out that can help you achieve your goals:
Plank
The plank is an excellent exercise that targets your entire core, including your rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques. Start in a push-up position and lower yourself onto your arms. Keep your body in a straight line and hold the position as long as you can, aiming for at least 30-60 seconds.
Bicycle Crunches
Lie on your back with your hands behind your head and bring your knees to a 90-degree angle. Bring your left elbow toward your right knee while straightening your left leg. Repeat on the other side, mimicking the pedaling motion of a bicycle. Aim for 2-3 sets of 15-20 repetitions.
Read: How do I start working out with no experience?
Hanging leg raises
Find a pull-up bar and hang from it with your arms fully extended. Keep your legs straight and lift them up until they are parallel to the floor. Lower them in a controlled manner. Aim for 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions.
Russian Twist
Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Lean back slightly while maintaining good posture. Hold a weight or medicine ball with both hands and rotate your torso from side to side, touching the weight to the ground on each side. Aim for 2-3 sets of 15-20 repetitions.
Reverse Crunches
Lie on your back with your hands at your sides or under your glutes for support. Bring your knees toward your chest while lifting your hips off the ground. Lower your leg and repeat. Aim for 2-3 sets of 15-20 repetitions.
Remember, it's important to target your abs, get regular cardiovascular exercise, and follow a balanced diet to reduce overall body fat. Additionally, incorporating compound exercises involving multiple muscle groups, such as squats, deadlifts, and push-ups, can help increase calorie burn and develop muscle throughout your body, including your abs.
How To Do Each ABS Working Out
Here's a breakdown of how to perform each of the abs working out I mentioned:
Plank:
- Start by getting into a push-up position, with your hands directly under your shoulders and your toes on the ground.
- Lower yourself onto your forearms, making sure your elbows are directly beneath your shoulders.
- Keep your body in a straight line from your head to your heels, engaging your core muscles.
- Hold the position for as long as you can, aiming for at least 30-60 seconds.
- Breathe steadily throughout the exercise and avoid sagging or raising your hips too high.
Bicycle Crunches:
- Lie on your back on an exercise mat or the floor.
- Place your hands behind your head, lightly supporting your neck, and lift your feet off the ground, bending your knees to a 90-degree angle.
- Start by bringing your left elbow towards your right knee while extending your left leg straight.
- Alternate by bringing your right elbow towards your left knee while extending your right leg straight.
- Continue to alternate in a fluid motion, mimicking a bicycle pedaling motion.
- Aim for 2-3 sets of 15-20 reps.
Hanging Leg Raises:
- Find a sturdy pull-up bar and hang from it with your arms fully extended.
- Engage your core muscles and keep your legs straight.
- Lift your legs up while maintaining control until they are parallel to the floor.
- Slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
- Aim for 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps.
Russian Twists:
- Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
- Lean back slightly while maintaining good posture, keeping your back straight.
- Hold a weight or medicine ball with both hands, or you can clasp your hands together.
- Lift your feet slightly off the ground, balancing on your glutes.
- Rotate your torso from side to side, touching the weight or ball to the ground on each side.
- Keep your core engaged throughout the exercise.
- Aim for 2-3 sets of 15-20 reps.
Reverse Crunches:
- Lie on your back on an exercise mat or the floor.
- Place your hands by your sides or under your glutes for support.
- Lift your legs off the ground and bend your knees to a 90-degree angle.
- Engage your core and use your lower abs to lift your hips off the ground, bringing your knees towards your chest.
- Slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
- Aim for 2-3 sets of 15-20 reps.
Remember to listen to your body and perform each exercise with proper form. Start with a weight or intensity level that challenges you but allows you to maintain control and avoid injury. As you get stronger, you can increase the number of sets, reps, or difficulty level to continue progressing.
Read: How do I start working out with no experience?
ABS Workouts for the Sculpting A Rock-Hard Six-Pack
Here are a few more abs workouts you can incorporate into your routine:
Mountain Climbers:
- Start in a high plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your body in a straight line.
- Engage your core and bring one knee towards your chest, then quickly switch legs, bringing the other knee in while extending the first leg back.
- Continue alternating legs in a running motion while maintaining proper form and a controlled pace.
- Aim for 2-3 sets of 20-30 seconds.
Sit-Ups:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
- Place your hands behind your head or crossed on your chest.
- Engage your core and lift your upper body off the ground, curling your spine forward.
- Keep your feet planted and avoid using momentum to complete the movement.
- Slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
- Aim for 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps.
Plank with Knee Tucks:
- Start in a high plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your body in a straight line.
- Engage your core and lift your right foot off the ground, bending your knee and bringing it towards your right elbow.
- Return your right foot to the starting position and repeat with your left knee towards your left elbow.
- Continue alternating knee tucks while maintaining proper form and a controlled pace.
- Aim for 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps per side.
Dead Bug:
- Lie on your back with your arms extended toward the ceiling and your legs bent at a 90-degree angle, knees stacked over hips.
- Engage your core and slowly extend your right leg straight while simultaneously lowering your left arm overhead, keeping your lower back pressed into the ground.
- Return to the starting position and repeat with the opposite leg and arm.
- Continue alternating sides while maintaining control and proper form.
- Aim for 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps per side.
Standing Cable Woodchoppers:
- Attach a cable pulley to a high position and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold the handle with both hands and stand perpendicular to the machine, with your arms extended in front of you.
- Engage your core and rotate your torso diagonally, pulling the cable down and across your body towards your opposite hip.
- Control the movement as you return to the starting position.
- Repeat on the other side, rotating in the opposite direction.
- Aim for 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps per side.
Remember to combine these exercises with a well-rounded fitness routine that includes cardiovascular exercise, strength training for other muscle groups, and a balanced diet for overall fat loss and muscle definition.