How to Choose the Best Ab Exercises

Step-by-step Instructions

Here is what you need to do...
Step 1

Choosing the best ab exercise all depends on what type of abs you want. Do you want the flat washboard abs that stay close to the stomach? (Ex. Swimmers) Or do you want cut, bulging abs that you see bodybuilders have?

Step 2

If you chose the flat washboard type then you're going to need to train for endurance. Just like long distance runners it isn't really a concern of over training and possibly breaking down too much muscle. The whole goal is burning all the fat around your midsection so using weights isn't necessary, medicine balls, however will be your best friend. You're going to want to do workouts with high reps around 50-100 and lots of cardio. How often you do the exercises depends on how fast you want to get abs. You can do them everyday or every other day. It's not like bulking up and weight training where you only work out the same body part once every 4 days where it requires that resting and rebuilding time.

Step 3

The other ab option are the bulging abs that stick out and cave in deep. These abs are treated just like any other muscle group when bodybuilding. You want to work them out once every 3-4 days and absolutely deplete them when they are being worked out. Incorporating weights is imperative just as they are when benching or squatting to build muscle. Lower reps are also a must between that 10-20 range depending on how much weight you are using.

Special Attention

Difficulties people often experience or parts that need special attention to do it right.

Make sure you are using good technique with any ab exercise. Be sure to squeeze and tighten your whole core in any exercise. Use slow steady and concentrated reps to ensure you are working out the right muscles and not your back or arms. Lastly, most people think abs are different from your chest, biceps or back, but the truth is they are just like any of those muscles just mention. Make sure you treat them that way depending on what type of abs you want.

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When did you first do this & how did you get started?

I've been doing ab workouts for years, but had just started with proper technique and knowledge only a year ago. I wanted to improve and cut my midsection up, so I knew only 2 or 3 different exercises weren't going to cut it. No pun intended :)

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