Abdominal Exercises

Forget all those abdominal exercises, informercial programs and pieces of worthless equipment. Infomercial ab exercise programs are not going to get you the six pack abs or flat tummy that you want.

A number of things come into play in addition to ab exercises, such as diet and cardio. But in this article, we'll stick with the top abdominal exercises to help you get the stomach you want.

1 - Crunches - Lie on your back with your hands behind your head (don't pull on your neck). Flex your hips and place your legs at a 90 degree angle. Lift your shoulders off the floor while you inhale, moving your head closer to your knees by shortening your torso.

Bring your shoulders back to the floor as you exhale.

It can be difficult to do abdominal exercises properly without equipment. The traditional floor crunch will only take you so far. Another key is the ability to add weight to your ab exercises, which can be a real pain without specific ab exercise equipment.

The ab crunch machine is a great piece of equipment that allows you to work your abs properly and in comfort, allowing for the addition of increased weight without holding it on your chest or behind your head.

You see, the abs need to be worked like any other muscle - with progressive weigh resistance. Don't worry, this won't bulk up your abs, but it will help to strengthen, tighten and tone them for that washboard look or flat tummy that you are looking for. Ab exercises need this added resistance too, in order to become effective as you progress.

Check out a great ab crunch machine that allows you to add weight to your abdominal exercises in perfect comfort. Ab Crunch Machine

2 - Incline Bench Sit Ups and Incline Leg Raises

Incline Bench Sit Ups - These are performed on a specific ab incline bench that allows you to sit on the bench and hook your feet under the roller pads. Again, place your hands behind your neck but don't pull on your neck as you perform the abdominal exercise.

Inhale as you incline your torso less than 20 degrees. Move your torso back up and slightly curl it to place more stress on the rectus abdominus.

Incline Leg Raises - This abdominal exercise can be performed on the same piece of equipment.

Lie on your back and grasp the handles or rungs behind your head. With your legs straight (but knees slightly bent) move your feet until they are up in the air above your hips. Then raise you hips by shortening your torso, trying to touch your head with your knees.

Check out an abdominal exercise board here Ab Exercise Incline Board

3 - Leg Raises - This abdominal exercise is done on a specific piece of equipment. Rest your elbows on the elbow support pads. Inhale and pull you knees up to your chest, rounding your back to contract your abdominals. Exhale as you lower. For a more difficult version of this ab exercise, try it with your legs straight.

Check out a great leg raise stand here. It also allows you to perform chin ups and dips. Leg Raises

Ab exercise equipment is a vital part of any fitness regimen. The right abdominal exercise equipment allows you to properly perform abdominal exerices from a number of different angles in order to firm and tone them in the most efficient manner possible.

A number of non-machine abdominal exercises can also be hard on the back such as lying reverse crunches.

For more great ab exercise equipment that will allow you to properly work all your abdominal muscles click here. Ab Exercise Equipment

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