Workout Tips For Six Pack Abs

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By Lisa Hopper

Most people these days lead busy lives, with no time on their schedules to go to the gym, and barely enough to step away from the computer. With so little time, is it still possible to get six pack abs? The answer is yes, if they devote even a little time to some simple exercises that can easily be done at home. There are some abdominal and core exercises that one can do at home, such as the following:

Crunches

This popular exercise targets the upper abdominals. In order to do it, simply lie on a flat surface and place your hands on your chest or behind your head. Contract your abs and hold the position for 2 seconds, then return to the lying position. Properly done crunches need to be performed in a continuous and controlled fashion. Focus on pulling your upper body up with your abdominal muscles. Don't push yourself up with your neck or shoulders. Doing so will cause stress on those muscles.

Side Crunches

Side crunches are almost the same as normal crunches, but instead of focusing on your upper abdominals, the target muscles are the oblique muscles (also known as love handles). You should use the same technique as above, only this time you are crunching to the side of your abs.

Lying Leg Lifts

You are targeting the lower abs in this exercise. To start off with, lie flat on your back and then bend your legs and raise them with your toes pointed. Your shins and thighs should be forming a 90 degree angle with your thighs perpendicular to your body and your shins parallel. Next, straighten your legs up so they are pointing at the ceiling. Now, lower your legs slowly until they are about an inch off the floor. You shouldn't just drop your legs with gravity; always be in control. Repeat these steps to do lying leg lifts. It helps to keep your hands under your buttocks when doing this exercise so you can get leverage and help to keep your feet off the ground. For a bigger challenge, add some weights to your ankles or hold a medicine ball between your feet.

V-Crunches

These are very similar to lying leg lifts, except your chest is at a 45 degree angle when you begin. Start by sitting on the edge of a bench and reach back just until you can support yourself from lying on it. Once you feel stable, start bringing your knees towards your chest. You should be creating a V shape with your thigh and chest. The base of the V is where your abs are. Repeat this motion to do V-Crunches.

Cat Stretch

This exercise looks just like the movements done by a cat that is stretching its back. It's a quick and easy exercise. Start by getting down on the floor on your hands and knees, keeping your muscles relaxed and glancing straight ahead. Now, tighten your abdominals and then thrust your back upward as far as you can. Maintain this posture for five seconds before you return to the starting position. Repeat this motion.

Hopefully, these workout tips for working your abdominal muscles have helped and encouraged you to start practicing them at home. They are quick and easy to do, and don't require you to go to a gym. Although you won't get six pack abs from doing these exercises alone, at least they will give you a good start towards your goal.

For more tips on how to get six pack abs, please visit Way to Six Pack Abs.

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