Oct 25, 2004

Best Stomach Exercises – The Quest For The Perfect Stomach

If you’re a night owl then chances are you’ve witnessed at one time or another an infomercial on the latest revolutionary equipment to target your abdominal muscles with the best stomach exercises. There are hundreds of workout tapes, a variety of accessories, and a plethora of machines that claim to help you achieve lean, tight abs. While there may be some truth in each and every claim presented, the only real judge in the end is you. However, before you reach into that pocket and take out that credit card, you will want to know about some the top ab exercises that researchers in the fitness field claim are better than anything else you may find.

Lean Abs – The Top Five Ab Exercises You Need To Know About

Not every stomach exercise is the same. There are some workouts that target upper abdominal muscles, while others focus on the lower abdominals, or the obliques. The best abdominal training session would be one that incorporates the best stomach exercise that targets all your stomach muscles at once.

Currently, the top five best stomach flattening exercises include: the bicycle, the captain’s chair, the exercise ball, the vertical leg crunch, and the torso track. Each one of these workouts should be repeated 2-3 times a week, with a repetition range of 20-25. The key to these exercises working is to maintain proper form and ensure that you work your abs hard.

The bicycle maneuver is one of the more traditional ab exercises. It has long been practiced in gym classes, fitness centers, and at a variety of sports training camps worldwide. The key to this exercise is to lie flat on the ground with your back pressed to the floor. With hands placed next to your head, lift your knees to a 45-degree angle and begin a pedaling motion. Alternate sides by touching opposite knee to opposite knee and continue the motion while keeping your abs tight at all times.

The captain’s chair is a piece of gym equipment that when used properly is highly effective for toning your abs. To perform this exercise you must lift your body up, or stand on a step stool, to grab hold of the chair handles. Once you’ve stabilized the upper body, press your back against the padding and lift knees towards chest. Repeat this movement until your stomach muscles are fatigued. This particular workout may seem difficult at first, but after a few training sessions, most people find it easier to perform more repetitions.

The exercise ball is something you can use at the gym or in the comfort of your own home. This particular workout requires you to lie face-up on the ball and cross your hands over your chest (or behind head). Contract abs and lift torso slightly off the ball, pulling the bottom of your ribcage down toward hips. Once a person finds themselves getting stronger, they can make the exercise more challenging by changing their position on the ball; by placing it under their lower back, rather than under their upper back.

A fourth exercise that is highly effective for training abs is the vertical leg crunch. Lying flat on the ground, press your lower back to the floor and place hands behind head. Next, extend both legs straight up with knees crossed and contract your abs while lifting torso towards knees. Remember to not hold your breath and to keep the abs flat throughout the entire movement.

The fifth and final exercise for fab abs is the torso track. This piece of equipment has padded handles that you use to push forward while engaging your abs to support your body. This particular workout can be extremely hard on the back; therefore, it is important to use caution and only go as far as you can without arching your back.

While these five exercises are by no means the only ab workouts that will help you achieve a flat stomach, they are certainly some of the more highly regarded exercises, according to fitness experts. If you are limited by resources and can’t get to the gym, then there are alternate workouts you can do right from the comfort of your own home. If, however, you are a gym regular and want to add some abdominal training to a routine, then include these exercises and watch as your stomach turns to steel.

About The Author:
Angela Lanci Zaurrini is a talented and successful freelance writer. Her various writings provide relevant information and wonderfully researched resources for body builders and sports enthusiasts. She is a young and yet experienced educator who earned her B.A. and teaching certification through Simon Fraser University, Canada. She continues her passion of sharing knowledge through her numerous writings and educational articles.

By: Angela Lanci Zaurrini
http//www.a1-weight-lifting-equipment.com