The Best Strong Abs Workout For All

The Best Strong Abs Workout For All

For most people the goals of any abdominal workout routine are simple; Either a less flabby waist and a flatter stomach or a stronger, more healthy set of muscles. Ideally one should aim for a balance of both.

The Best Strong Abs Workout For All

A flatter stomach is great and looks more flattering, especially in a swimsuit or a pair of shorts, but it really means little if it's only skin deep. The core muscles as well as the outer muscles must be adequately worked out so that the abdominal area is firmer and healthier as well as more attractive. There is no use building a beautiful facade on a weak foundation because beauty is only skin deep as the old axiom goes.

Below are several abdominal exercises that work to strengthen your entire abdominal muscles. As with all exercise routines, be sure to seek professional advice before starting and always warm up thoroughly to avoid injury.

The Best Strong Abs Workout For All

Toning Your Core

Prepare for this exercise by kneeling on all fours, with both knees and both hands flat. Still looking down, keep your stomach pulled in and extend your left arm straight out in front of you. Keep your arm outstretched as you extend your right leg behind you. 

Bring both backs to the starting position then switch your arms and legs and repeat the exercise for the entire set. Your torso and pelvis should remain stable the entire time.

The Best Strong Abs Workout For All

Butt Burner

You need to lie on your back here and we recommend using a mat or towel. Bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor with both hands by your sides. Lift your pelvis and while doing this, squeeze your buttocks so that the muscles feel tight. Lift your pelvis forty-five degrees, so that your upper body maintains a straight, flat ramp from your shoulders to your knees. 

Hold this for a few seconds before slowly lowering your pelvis back to the floor. Make sure you use your abdominal muscles as you lower yourself down instead of letting gravity help you. Complete the complete set of these.

The Best Strong Abs Workout For All

The Crunchless Crunch

This exercise sounds simple but it can be difficult to do well. It uses different muscles than you normally do and can be hard to get right at first. Essentially this involves contracting your abdominal muscles so that you pull your belly button back towards your spine, compressing your abdomen as you do so. You can do it either lying on your back or kneeling. To start relaxing your body. 

Then slowly contract your stomach as if you are pulling your navel backward. Hold it for ten seconds and then slowly release it. Once you find ten seconds easy then repeat it for a longer period. Building this up over time will strengthen and tone the transverse abdominals, one of the major internal muscle groups.

The Best Strong Abs Workout For All

Scissor Kick

Lie down on the floor again, with your upper body and back touching the ground. Place your hands under your buttocks to lift yourself slightly off the floor, keeping your back flat. Slowly lift one leg about ten inches and slowly (as slowly as you can manage) lower it to the floor. 

As you lower one leg, slowly raise the other, so both are in the crossing movement for a brief amount of time. Using a slow, well-controlled motion is essential and will increase the effectiveness of the exercise.

Repeat the exercise for the entire set.

These are just a few of the strength-building exercises. If you're trying to build strength in your midsection, look for exercises that work your core muscles, especially the transverse abdominals. Many components of Pilates are also excellent for this.