Get Even More Visitors To Your Blog, Upgrade To A Business Listing >>

Flatten Tummy: 7 Ab Workouts That Work

Excess belly fat can increase your risk of various health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. 

Therefore, losing belly fat is not only good for your appearance, but also for your well-being.

But how can you lose belly fat and get a flat stomach? The answer is simple: exercise and diet

You need to burn more calories than you consume, and you need to eat healthy foods that nourish your body and support your metabolism. 

You also need to do specific exercises that target your abdominal muscles and help you tone and sculpt your core.

In this article, we will show you 7 ab workouts that work for flattening your tummy

These exercises are easy to do at home, and they only require minimal equipment. 

You can do them every other day, alternating with other types of exercise, such as cardio or strength training. 

By doing these exercises regularly, you will see results in no time.

Before we start, here are some tips to make the most of your ab workouts:

  • Warm up before you exercise. This will prepare your muscles and joints for the movements and prevent injuries.
  • Breathe properly during the exercises. Exhale when you contract your abs, and inhale when you relax them.
  • Engage your core throughout the exercises. This means tightening your abdominal muscles as if you are bracing for a punch.
  • Maintain proper form and alignment. This means keeping your spine neutral, your shoulders down and back, and your hips level.
  • Do not strain your neck or back. If you feel any pain or discomfort in these areas, stop the exercise or modify it.
  • Rest between sets and exercises. This will allow your muscles to recover and prevent overtraining.
  • Challenge yourself. As you get stronger, increase the intensity or duration of the exercises, or add some resistance or weight.


Now that you know the basics, let’s get started with the 7 ab workouts that work for flattening your tummy.


Plank

The plank is one of the best exercises for strengthening your core and improving your posture

It works your entire abdominal region, as well as your arms, legs, and back.

To do a plank:

  • Lie on your stomach on a mat or the floor.
  • Place your forearms on the mat or the floor under your shoulders, with your palms flat and facing down.
  • Lift your body off the mat or the floor by pushing through your forearms and toes.
  • Keep your body in a straight line from head to toe. Do not let your hips sag or arch.
  • Hold this position for as long as you can, up to 60 seconds.
  • Repeat 2 to 3 times.

To make it harder:

  • Lift one leg off the mat or the floor at a time.
  • Lift one arm off the mat or the floor at a time.
  • Place your feet on an elevated surface, such as a bench or a chair.

Side Plank

The side plank is a variation of the plank that targets your obliques, which are the muscles on the sides of your abdomen. 

It also works your shoulders and glutes.

To do a side plank:

  • Lie on your right side on a mat or the floor.
  • Place your right forearm on the mat or the floor under your right shoulder, with your right palm flat and facing down.
  • Stack your left foot on top of your right foot, so that your left leg lies directly on top of your right leg.
  • Lift your right hip off the mat or the floor by pushing through your right forearm and foot.
  • Keep your body in a straight line from head to toe. Do not let your hips sag or arch.
  • Raise your left arm straight up in the air above your shoulder.
  • Hold this position for as long as you can, up to 30 seconds.
  • Repeat on the other side.
  • Do 2 to 3 sets per side.

To make it easier:

  • Bend your bottom knee and place it on the mat or the floor for support.
  • Keep your top arm on your hip instead of raising it.

To make it harder:

  • Lift your top leg off the mat or the floor as high as you can.
  • Do hip dips by lowering your hips almost to the mat or the floor and then lifting them back up.

Toe Reaches

The toe reaches are a simple but effective exercise for working your upper abs

They also stretch your hamstrings and lower back.

To do toe reaches:

  • Lie on your back on a mat or the floor.
  • Lift your legs in the air and bend them at a 90-degree angle, so that your thighs are perpendicular to the floor and your shins are parallel to the floor.
  • Lift your head and shoulders off the mat or the floor by engaging your abs.
  • Reach your hands toward your toes, pausing for 1 to 2 seconds at the top.
  • Slowly lower your head and shoulders back to the mat or the floor.
  • Do 2 to 3 sets of 12 to 18 repetitions.

To make it easier:

  • Keep your head and shoulders on the mat or the floor and just reach your arms toward your toes.

To make it harder:

  • Straighten and extend your legs in the air, so that they form a 45-degree angle with the floor.
  • Hold a weight or a medicine ball in your hands and reach it toward your toes.

Leg Raises

The leg raises are a great exercise for working your lower abs

They also challenge your hip flexors and lower back.

To do leg raises:

  • Lie on your back on a mat or the floor.
  • Place your hands under your hips or by your sides, with your palms flat and facing down.
  • Keep your legs straight and together, and lift them off the mat or the floor until they are perpendicular to the floor.
  • Lower your legs slowly and with control until they are a few inches above the mat or the floor, without touching it.
  • Do 2 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.

To make it easier:

  • Bend your knees slightly and lower them only halfway down.
  • Place a pillow under your lower back for support.

To make it harder:

  • Lift your head and shoulders off the mat or the floor and keep them lifted throughout the exercise.
  • Hold a weight or a medicine ball between your ankles or knees.

Roll Ups

The roll ups are a dynamic exercise that combine a crunch and a sit-up. 

They work your entire core, as well as your spine and hip flexors.

To do roll ups:

  • Lie on your back on a mat or the floor.
  • Extend your arms overhead, with your palms facing up.
  • Keep your legs straight and together, and point your toes.
  • Inhale and lift your arms toward the ceiling, then exhale and curl up slowly, lifting your head, shoulders, and spine off the mat or the floor one vertebra at a time.
  • Reach your arms toward your toes, keeping them parallel to the floor.
  • Inhale and reverse the movement, rolling down slowly, one vertebra at a time, until you are lying flat on the mat or the floor again.
  • Do 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions.

To make it easier:

  • Bend your knees slightly and keep them on the mat or the floor throughout the exercise.
  • Use a resistance band or a towel around your feet to help you pull yourself up.

To make it harder:

  • Hold a weight or a medicine ball in your hands and reach it toward your toes.
  • Lift your legs off the mat or the floor at a 45-degree angle and keep them lifted throughout the exercise.

Bicycle Crunches

The bicycle crunches are one of the most effective exercises for working both your upper and lower abs, as well as your obliques. 

They also involve some rotation, which is good for improving mobility and stability in your spine.

To do bicycle crunches:

  • Lie on your back on a mat or the floor.
  • Place your hands behind your head, with your fingers lightly touching but not interlocking.
  • Lift your legs off the mat or the floor and bend them at a 90-degree angle, so that they form a tabletop position.
  • Lift your head and shoulders off the mat or the floor by engaging your abs.
  • Twist your upper body to the right, bringing your left elbow toward your right knee, while extending your left leg straight out.
  • Switch sides, bringing your right elbow toward your left knee, while extending your right leg straight out.
  • Continue alternating sides, as if you are pedalling a bicycle, for 2 to 3 sets of 15 to 25 repetitions per side.

To make it easier:

  • Keep your head and shoulders on the mat or the floor and just move your legs.
  • Keep your legs higher in the air and do not extend them fully.

To make it harder:

  • Lift your legs lower to the mat or the floor and extend them fully.
  • Hold each twist for 1 to 2 seconds before switching sides.

Reverse Crunches

The reverse crunches are another exercise that targets your lower abs

They also work your hip flexors and lower back.

To do reverse crunches:

  • Lie on your back on a mat or the floor.
  • Place your hands under your hips or by your sides, with your palms flat and facing down.
  • Lift your legs off the mat or the floor and bend them at a 90-degree angle, so that they form a table top position.
  • Curl your hips and knees toward your chest, lifting them off the mat or the floor by engaging your abs.
  • Lower your hips and knees back to the starting position, without touching the mat or the floor.
  • Do 2 to 3 sets of 12 to 18 repetitions.

To make it easier:

  • Keep your feet on the mat or the floor and just lift your hips.
  • Place a pillow under your lower back for support.

To make it harder:

  • Straighten and extend your legs in the air, so that they form a 45-degree angle with the floor.
  • Hold a weight or a medicine ball between your ankles or knees.


This post first appeared on HIITRIX, please read the originial post: here

Share the post

Flatten Tummy: 7 Ab Workouts That Work

×

Subscribe to Hiitrix

Get updates delivered right to your inbox!

Thank you for your subscription

×