Abdominal workouts can be difficult and irritating. Because of that, hundreds of different machines have been created that are designed to make ab workouts easier, so that you can complete with them without the aches and pains that generally make most individuals quit before they have a chance to see any real results.
Some of the ab equipment is very effective. Others are considerably less so. But all of them require a financial investment that many individuals are unwilling to make for the reasons mentioned earlier, where they assume that they will quit the workout anyway due to uncomfortable aches, thus making the machines not worth though money.
Abdominal Workouts Without Machines
Luckily, you do not need machines in order to get a good abdominal workout. All you need is patience and the willingness to last through many of the initial bothersome feelings in order to ensure that you receive visible results that will prove to you that these workouts are worth the time you spend every day performing them.
The Most Effective Ab Workout
The most effective abdominal workout without a machine is known as the bicycle crunch. In fact, it is actually considered the most effective abdominal workout, period; abdominal workout machine or otherwise.
The bicycle crunch is very similar to the standard crunch except it requires extra movement. At the same time, you do not have to move very high with your back, so there is a good chance that you will be able to avoid some of the back pain that causes people to quit the exercise.
To perform the bicycle crunch, you want to start by laying down on your back, your arms clasped behind your head and your elbows out. Also, before you begin, keep your feet planted on the floor.
When you are ready to begin, lift your legs into the air and start slowly pedaling like you would a bicycle. One leg should be straight out while the other bends with your knee coming towards you.
As you continue to pedal, use your abdomen to lift your body and try to touch your elbows to the opposite knee. So, for example, when your left knee is bending towards you, try to touch it with your right elbow. Switch with the other knee.
You do not need to have your elbow physically touch your knee. You just need to use your abdomen to try to bend your body in that direction.
Other Ab Workouts
There are two other effective abdominal workouts without machines. One is known as the "Reverse Crunch". To perform the reverse crunch, start your body the same way you did with the bicycle crunch, but keep your arms lying on the ground towards your feet. Then try to lift your knees to your chest with your back remaining still on the ground.
Another fun workout is known as the "Plank Exercise". It is especially useful for those that are not fond of crunches or have no comfortable place to lay down.
To do the plank exercise, lay down against the ground on your stomach side. Lay your forearms against the ground and push yourself up, with the entire rest of your body in the air with the exception of your feet, which should be balanced on your toes. All you need to do is hold this position for 10 or 20 seconds, and then repeat.
As you can see, there are a number of advanced abdominal workouts without machines that are still very effective at improving your ab muscles and giving you the look and tone you are looking for. While machines may still be useful in a variety of circumstances, you can always invest in one once you have proved to yourself that you have the will and desire necessary to stick with your workout.
The normal ab workouts out there are worn out and often quite ineffective. If your ab workout consist of crunches, sit-ups, and leg lifts then beware. Intense metabolism-boosting routines are my ab workout of choice. I am all about better options for my readers. Tri-sets (3 exercise routines) get fabulous results without directly working on the abs.
This tri-set consist of these 3 key exercises.
* Renegade Dumbbell Rows
* Front Squats Using Barbell
* Mountain Climbers on Floor
Do eight reps of each exercise alternating between them. Once eight reps of the rows and squats are complete do thirty seconds of the mountain climbers and start all over again. You should do three or four cycles or tri-sets.
Dumbell Rows Renegade Style: Place both of your hands on the dumbbells whicle in the pushup position. Balance with one arm and row the dumbbell upward with the other. Place the dumbbell back to the start and switch arms. When done properly you will feel a nice ab burn. What is happening is your midsection is having to balance your body.
Front Squats With Barbell: This is a great leg building exercise with the added benefit of working the abs. Again form is important as your abs will be working hard to stabilize the shift of weight. Take your time and do it right so you don't end up pulling an ab muscle. Asking a trainer if you are doing this one correctly would not be a bad idea. Rest the barbell on your front shoulders while in the standing position. Cross your arms, keep your elbows in front of your body, and push your fist into the bar. Keep your upper arms parallel to the floor. Descend until thighs are just past parallel. Extend knees and hips until legs are straight. Return and repeat.
Mountain Climbers On Floor: This is a great conditioning exercise that increases core strength and endurance. Start in a push-up position (arms lined up with the chest, legs extended out). Keep the stomach muscles contracted throughout the range of motion while the head is in line with the body. Start by bringing the right knee to the chest and back to starting position. Alternate quickly to the left leg and continue this movement for a set amount of time. Just think of yourself as climbing a mountain except your on the floor.
Short rest between sets are key to increasing your metabolism. Follow the steps above and don't let others in the gym distract you. With proper implementation of ab workouts like the one above you will achieve your ab goals in no time.
Both Richard Black & Sean C. are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Richard Black has sinced written about articles on various topics from Body Building, Fitness and Backpain. Richard Black helps people learn how to at his website on how to. Richard Black's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.
Sean C. has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness. Tired of the misinformation and out dated ab workouts. Kick the crunches and sit ups to the curb. They haven't resulted in 6 pack abs yet have they? Find out the real truth about 6 pack abs at. Sean C.'s top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.