Ab Workouts for Home
You don’t have to go to the gym or have expensive equipment to have fabulous abs, you can also opt for ab workouts for home. Actually, all you need for steel abs is a lot of willpower and a bit of space in your living room. And, every now and then, a few props to keep you going. Even if you take as little as 15 minutes per day for your abdomen exercises, you will notice the difference.
Warm up. Never start an ab workout without proper warm-up. Your muscles need to gradually move from being inactive to active. Without taking the time to loosen them up, you may end up having pain instead of worked-out abs. Take at least five minutes before the workout to prepare the muscles for the exercises. Throughout the exercises, don’t forget to breathe in and out through the nose.
Stand straight, with your feet apart, aligned with the shoulders. Keep your hips and lower body in one place, while rotating the upper body. Repeat the exercise 15 times.
The bicycle. As you lie on your back, bring your hands together behind your head, one on top of the other and keep the elbows open. Lift up the head from the floor or mattress. Bend your knees and bring them to your chest. Stretch one leg to a 45 degree angle, while keeping the other one bent. Bring your right elbow to the left knee. Now switch, lengthening the left leg to a 45 degree and bringing the right leg to the left elbow. If you’re just starting out, repeat the exercise 15 times. If you’re not new to abs workout, repeat it 30 times.
The chair. As you lie on your back, bring your hands together behind your head, one on top of the other and keep the elbows open. Lift up your legs, bend them and place them on a chair, forming a 90 degree angle. Lift up the head and the upper body from the floor or mattress and bring them as close as you can to your knees. Lower you body slowly. And lift it up again. Repeat 15 times for beginners and 30 times for intermediate and advanced levels.
The chair – variation. The chair exercise can also be done without your hands behind your head. Keep them close to your chest. As you lift up your upper body, touch the right knee with the left hand. Lower the upper body. As you lift up again, touch the left knee with the right hand.
The boat. As you lie facing down, bring your hands together behind your head and keep the elbows open. Keep your feet apart, aligned with the shoulders. Lift up your upper body slowly. Lower it again. Repeat between 15 and 30 times, according to your abilities.
As you keep up the workout three times per week, increase the number of repetitions. As your abs will become stronger and more sculpted, you have to keep up with the workout and keep up the challenge.
While doing the above workout is highly recommended, even the small activities at home can be turned into an ab workout. When you do house chores, keep your stomach tucked in. This way, you’ll work the muscles and improve your posture. Also, when watching TV, contract and relax the muscles a few times. Combined with the workout, don’t forget to keep hydrated and to stick to a moderate diet.
