Working Out For a Six Pack

Whilst it's true a smooth, rock hard belly looks superb, a six pack is less of an improvement if the the core muscles have not gained any strength. Not only should you be losing weight around your abdominals, it's also vital to build strength in the trunk muscles. Below are some ab exercises that show you how to get six pack abs by building robust muscles all though your core. As with any exercise program, be certain to consult a fitness instructor prior to starting and always get warmed up sensibly to avoid injury.

Working The Torso

Begin this workout on all fours, knees and hands on the floor. Keep your stomach pulled in and extend your left arm out in front of you. Keep this arm outstretched as you extend your right leg out behind you. Switch between arms and legs and repeat for a complete set. Take particular care not to let your pelvis sway out of the position you started in.

Burn The Butt Fat

You will need to lie on your back for this exercise. Use a mat or towel to cushion your backbone. Bend your knees so your feet are flat on the floor, and position your arms at your sides. Squeeze your backside as you lift your pelvis off the floor. Keep the rest of your body in line. Raise your pelvis to about 45 degrees, so your chest and shoulders from your head to your knees makes a straight, flat ramp. Hold this for two to four seconds before slowly lowering your pelvis back to the floor. Repeat for an entire set.

Safe Crunches

This stomach work out pretty much straightforward in principle but can be sometimes difficult to perform. Essentially, it involves attempting to pull the belly button in towards the back. This is tricky, as it involves the use of muscles which you may not be used to exercising. To start, either lie on your abs or kneel. You will probably want to try both these ways and see which helps you're feeling the exercise better.

Relax your body as much as practical, then try and use only the lower abdominals to move your belly button toward your spine. Hold for ten seconds. If this feels like it is too easy try to hold for a longer period. The goal is to hold the contraction until you either cannot feel it, or you're feeling other muscles working much harder than the transverse abdominus. When you're feeling this, let the contraction out.

Split The Legs, Work The Abs

This stomach exercise also needs lying on the floor. Position your hands under your butt, keeping your back pressed against the floor. Slowly raise one leg to a height of roughly ten inches, then slowly lower it back to the floor. As your lower one leg, raise the other. Repeat this motion for a whole set. Maintaining control all though is crucial, not permitting momentum to get the best of you. Your chest and shoulders should remain on the floor through the entire move.