Wednesday, October 28, 2009

5 Exercises For Great Abs

By Henry Artigon

There's massive money in abdominals, and the fitness giants know it. So, instead of leading you straight to the information, they've created thousands of products designed to stop you from getting what you want, and keep on paying for the newest and most technically advanced ab machine. The problem? 99% of these abdominal contraptions are bogus. Don't let yourself waste your precious time and money on these false workouts, instead focus on the ab exercises that really work, and leave your money in your pocket and your fat sweating off your body. These five exercises will have you working your way towards great abs in no time at all.

#1 - The deadlift is an exercise that is a must for any ab development program. This not an exercise for sissys. You have probably seen huge, musclebound powerlifters performing this on the international competitions. Don't worry, you will not look like one of those guys. Special diets are required to acheive those results. The real benefit you will receive from the deadlift is a good workout of your back, legs and especially your abs.

#2 - The Squat While the squat is primarily a leg exercise, it relies on the abdominals in order to keep the body straight and safe during the lift. When you're balancing weight on your shoulders, your body needs to engage your abdominals to keep itself upright. Move through the movement and keep your abs reasonably tense, and your chest puffed out. While your legs may ache right afterwards, it'll be your abs that see the true benefit in a couple of months.

#3 - Now that we have performed a couple of classic weight exercise routines, this is the perfect time to introduce the Sit Up. This is the classic abdominal exercise and is most effective when performed right after the weight routine to stress the muscles that have just been exercised.

#4 - The Military Press This is another weighted exercise, and one that also exercises your chest, shoulders and arms. In order to engage the abdominals, you need to stand upright while performing this lift -- sitting down takes the strain off your abdominals and instead places it on your legs. Simply push your weights from shoulder height to above your head, all the while using your abdominals to keep your body straight and upright.

#5 - An exercise that really leaves the abs pumped is the leg raise. This one does require a little bit of equipment but no contraptions. Either a chin up bar or a leg raise frame. Just perform the exercise by raising the legs to your waist keeping them straight and pointed. This one should be done at the end of the routine. The abs will receive an exhausting workout with this one.

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