The Firm Stomach Workout
When beginning an abdominal workout routine, for most people who ask the question of how to get six packs - the goal is simple: getting a flatter stomach fast. While a fit stomach looks great, it’s less of an accomplishment if your belly muscles haven’t got stronger. In addition to slimming down around the outer abdominals, it is also important to build strength in the core abdominals. Below are some stomach exercises that work out the core to build strong muscles throughout the abdomen, and will help you get 6 pack abs in no time.
Tone Your Torso Exercise
Begin this stomach exercise on all fours, knees and hands on the floor. Keep your stomach pulled in and extend your left arm out in front of you (football fans, imagine a referee signaling first down). Keep this arm outstretched as you extend your right leg out behind you. Switch legs and arms, and do it again for an entire set. Take special care never to let your pelvis sway out of line.
Butt Burner
You’ll have to lay on your back for this exercise. Make use of a mat or towel to support your spine. Bend your knees so your feet are flat on the floor, and position your arms at your sides. Squeeze your buttocks together as you lift your pelvis off of the floor. Keep the remainder of your body in line. Raise up your pelvis to around 45 degrees, so your torso from your head to your knees makes a straight ramp. Hold this for three to five seconds before slowly lowering your pelvis back to the floor. Repeat for an entire set.
Crunchless Crunch
This stomach exercise is fairly simple in theory but can be fairly difficult to perform. Essentially, it involves pulling your belly button in towards your spine. This can be difficult, as it means using muscles which you may not be used to utilising. To begin, either lay on your stomach or kneel down. You may like to try both ways, and ascertain which helps you feel the exercise better. Relax your body as much as possible, then try to use only the lower abdominals to move your belly button toward your spine. Hold for ten seconds. If this feels ok, hold for a longer time. The aim is to hold the contraction until you either can’t feel it, or you feel your other muscles working harder than the transverse abdominus. As you feel it, let the contraction out.
Scissor Kicks Routine
This stomach routine also requires laying down on the floor. Put your hands under your bottom, keeping your back against the floor. Slowly raise up 1 leg to a height of about 10 inches, then gradually lower it back to the floor. As your lower 1 leg, raise up the other. Repeat this for a whole set. Keeping control throughout is essential, not allowing the momentum to overcome you. Your torso should stay on the floor throughout the whole move.
These are just a few of all the strength building stomach exercises out there. If you’re hoping to build strength in your midriff, look for exercises that workout your core, particularly the transverse abdominal muscles. Many components of Pilates are good for this as well, and make getting 6 pack abs easy.
