• MAIN
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • Body Burn® 28 Day Quick Start
  • CONTACT
  • Privacy Policy

Fit Tip Daily

Lose Weight One Tip At A Time

  • TIP OF THE DAY
  • CELEB DIETS
  • EAT IT
  • WATCH IT
  • BUY IT
  • TOSS IT
  • SUPPLEMENTS
  • EXERCISES
You are here: Home / Exercises / Top 5 Ab Exercises

Top 5 Ab Exercises

June 22, 2008 by Adria Ali 1 Comment

 

     With the summer heating up, it’s time to get in shape FAST!  The best way to show off your physique is to flatten out your stomach.  Here are some excellent moves to do either at home or in the gym.

Abdominal Hold

 

This is the sort of move that looks so wonky, you sure hope your roommate doesn’t catch you doing it — unless she also gets to see you look stellar in a bathing suit, in which case she just may pull up a chair.

Do it:

  • Sit tall on the edge of a sturdy chair (or step with four risers) and place your hands on the edge with your fingers pointing toward your knees.
  • Tighten your abs and bring your toes 2 to 4 inches off the floor. Lift your butt off the chair.
  • Hold this position for as long as you can — aim for 5 to 10 seconds.
  • Lower yourself down and repeat.
  • Continue this exercise for 1 minute.

The Side Crunch

A deceptively difficult move, the side crunch tests your balance while it teases your oblique muscles. (It worked my hips in a way I’ve not felt in a while, too.)

Do it:

  • Kneel on the floor and lean all the way over to your right side, placing your right palm on the floor.
  • Keeping your weight balanced, slowly extend your left leg and point your toes.
  • Place your left hand behind your head, pointing your elbow toward the ceiling.
  • Next, slowly lift your leg to hip height as you extend your arm above your leg, with your palm facing forward.
  • Look out over your hand while bringing the left side of your rib cage toward your hip.
  • Lower to your starting position and repeat 6 to 8 times.
  • Do two sets of 6 to 8 reps, and then switch sides.

The Hundred

A machine- (and accessory-) free Pilates move that afterwards always makes me think 1) “Uh, we sure sounded like we’re doing Lamaze,” and 2) “Wow.”

Do it:

  • Sit tall on the mat with your knees bent by your chest and your hands at your sides.
  • Lie down with your knees bent and your palms facing down.
  • Exhale and raise your head and shoulders off the mat.
  • Vigorously pump your arms 6 inches up and down, reaching with your fingertips.
  • Inhale for 5 pumps, then exhale for 5 pumps. Be sure to curl your chin in toward your chest.
  • Do 100 pumps, or 10 full breaths.
  • Try to keep your lower back pressed in toward the floor and keep your lower abs pulled in toward your spine. You should keep your abs engaged this way throughout the workout.

Opposite Arm and Leg Raise

Done during my workout warm-up, this move makes me feel longer, steadier, and seriously balanced. Thanks, core!

Do it:

  • Begin on all fours, aligning your knees under your hips and your wrists under your shoulders.
  • Raise your left arm to shoulder height and your left leg to hip height.
  • Hold for 2 counts, reaching forward with your fingers and back with your heels.
  • Repeat this exercise on the opposite side.
  • Do 15 to 20 reps, alternating sides.
  • For a bigger challenge, touch your opposite elbow to your knee as you pull your arm and leg in.

The Prone Plank

A super-simple, do-anywhere move that zips up your abs a la Ms. Stefani. (Fingers crossed.)

Do it:

  • Get into a full pushup position with your palms on the floor beneath your shoulders.
  • Hold here for 30 seconds, with your abs contracted and your arms and legs extended and your head aligned with your spine.
  • As you build strength, hold this position longer, up to one minute.

(credit)

Adria Ali

SHARE:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print

Related

Filed Under: Exercises Tagged With: ab exercises, ab routine, how to get a six pack, how to get rock hard abs, top 5 ab exercises

About Adria Ali

I am the author of this web page and I have been a personal trainer for over 13 years. I currently hold a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology (exercise science), as well as all of the certifications from National Academy of Sports Medicine. I also have a background in sports training as well as internships in physical therapy and Occupational Therapy. I got into personal training to help people like my mom who struggled with her weight her whole life.


DISCLAIMER: The purpose of FitTipDaily.com is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Comments

  1. Charles says

    June 23, 2008 at 6:56 am

    These are cool ab exercises. I have never seen the side crunch performed in that way, and it's been ages since I've done the abominal hold. If these are too hard, try some of the abdominal exercises at http://www.ab-core-and-stomach-exercises.com/abdominal-exercises.html

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

To Verify You\'re Human, Please Solve The Problem: * Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

SEARCH FIT TIP DAILY


Daily Fitness Tips on iPhone





Join the Body Burn 28 Day Challenge

SOCIALIZE WITH FIT TIP DAILY

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

AS SEEN ON

SUBSCRIBE TO FIT TIP DAILY


The Latest

  • 10 Benefits of Shilajit and How it Could Improve Your Life
  • Holiday Giveaway from Everyday Essence
  • Privacy Policy
  • Get Better Fitness Results – Strengthening Neural Pathways
  • Fit Talk – Experts Weigh In – Why Deodorant Is Bad For Your Health

LIKE FIT TIP DAILY

FOLLOW FIT TIP DAILY

Tweets by @FitTipDaily

PEOPLE ♥ FIT TIP DAILY

Rebecca Cardon from Bravo's hit reality show Workout loves Fit Tip Daily!

SHOP FIT TIP DAILY

SHOP FIT TIP DAILY

ABOUT FIT TIP DAILY

Fit Tip Daily is brought to you by Adria Ali. She is a personal trainer with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology (exercise science) plus she holds three certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Adria has dedicated her life to changing peoples perception of fitness inside and outside of the gym with great fitness tips daily!

AS SEEN ON

GET SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

TAGGED

ab exercises biggest loser butt exercises celebrity diets celebrity fitness celebrity weight loss Decoration diet exercise Exercises exercise tips fat loss Fit fitceleb fitness fitness tip fitness tips fit tip gluten free recipes health Healthy healthy recipes jillian michaels leg exercises lose weight losing weight low carb recipes low fat recipes Metabolism paleo recipes Pinterest trainer trainer tip trainer tips Weight weight gain weight loss weight loss recipes weight loss tips weight training working out workout workout routine workout routines workouts
Weight Loss Disclaimer

* The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

©2017 Fit Tip Daily | Lose Weight—One Tip at a Time!

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.