Most people think that the only way they can get a good workout is by going to the gym. While this may be true if you are looking to build muscle, if you are just looking for ways to maintain what you have or maybe shed a couple of pounds of that excess stomach fat, it is quite easy to good workout from your home (you just have to be resourceful).

The perfect example of this is abdominal exercises. Wouldn't you like to have a nice six pack so that you can wear that bikini, or not be afraid to take your shirt off at the beach? (guys with flabby stomaches know what I am talking about) Why not get an ab workout right from your own home?

When most people think about ab workouts they immediately think of the dreaded crunches or situps. Ironically, regular situps and crunches are the least effective ab workouts and actually puts more strain on your hips and lower back than your abs. The end result can be lower back strain, and lack of results. So if situps and crunches are not effective ab workouts from home, then what is?

The best ab workout that you can do without equipment is the bicycle maneuver. To do this exercise, you lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground. Put your hands beside your head. Bring your knees up to about a 45-degree angle and slowly go through a bicycle pedal motion. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee. Breathe evenly throughout the exercise.

If the bicycle maneuver isn't the best ab workout for you, you can also try using a stabilizer ball or exercise ball. By incorporating an unstable object like an exercise ball, you can forcing your midsection to be constantly flexed, which adds to the workout. Sit on the ball with your feet flat on the floor. Let the ball roll back slowly. Now lie back on the ball until your thighs and torso are parallel with the floor. Tuck your chin Into your chest, and cross your arms over your chest. Contract your abdominals raising your torso to no more than 45 degrees. For better balance, spread your feet wider apart. To work the oblique muscles, make the exercise less stable by moving your feet closer together. Exhale as you contract; inhale as you return to the starting position.

There are plenty of other ab workouts that you can do from home, but these are two of the most common and most effective. Ab workouts are great for strengthening your abdominals, but they alone won't get you a flat stomach. The key to getting a flat stomach, ripped abs, and shedding pounds is a combination of diet and exercise. If you don't change your eating habits in conjunction with your workout routine, you are just spinning your wheels.