Five Fab Ab Exercises to Try

Spring is already just around the corner which means it is already almost bathing suit season for us in Tampa, Florida. While Juno’s blizzards are slamming the Northeast, folks up North are enjoying their snow days while wrapped up in layers of sweaters and jackets. Here in Tampa, we are already focusing on getting bathing-suit-ready! To be fit and healthy, you should have a complete body workout plan, but today let’s focus on what many people notice first: the abs. No one enjoys doing the same boring old crunches, so Craig is always coming up with new ways to work out the abdominal muscles and obliques. Try out some of these ab exercises and moves to work the ab muscles you didn’t even know you had!

 1. Side Plank & Reach

• Start out on your right side. Lean on your right forearm in the side plank position with your feet split to brace yourself. Once in the plank position, twist your core slowly right so that your body is facing the ground and your left arm is reaching underneath, across your body. Return to the original position. Be careful not to lose your balance during the swing and focus your attention on keeping your core engaged. Do this 12 times then switch sides.

2. Ballerina Reach

• Split your feet to brace yourself against an ab board/hyper extension bench with your left hip resting against the pad. Place your left hand on your left hip for balance while you lean left over the pad. With your right hand, reach over your head like a ballerina. Be sure to keep your body facing forward and your eyes straight. Do 12 reps then switch sides.

3. Crunch Machine

• Using the crunch machine at the gym can be monotonous and too many people speed through the workout. Next time you use it, try holding the crunch position for three seconds before you release. Do 2 sets of 12 reps.

4. Frog-Legged Incline

• Find a workout bench and use it at an angle. Lean against the bench with your hands hooked onto the handle over your head with your elbows at a 90-degree angle. Start with your legs out straight in front of you and lift them a few inches off the ground. Bring your knees up to your elbows and back out straight. If you look like a frog, you’re doing it right. Remember not to let your heels touch the ground between reps. Do 2 sets of 12.

5. Hip Raise

• Lying on a flat workout bench with your legs out straight, pull your knees to your chest then straighten your legs up in the air while you lift your hips, then slowly lower your legs straight back down. These are fun so you might feel yourself swing and bounce, but keep this as one fluid motion. Do 2 sets of 12 reps.

BONUS: Medicine Ball V-Ups

• Grab a light medicine ball for this exercise. Start out on your back with your arms stretched out over your head and your legs out straight. Holding the medicine ball in your hands, bring your arms and legs together in a V-up motion. Transfer the ball from your hands to your feet and lower your arms and legs back down. Be sure not to touch the ground and repeat the process, this time transferring the ball from your feet to your hands. That is 1 rep. Do this 12 times. If this is too hard for you, you can do this without weight as well, or use something light like a water bottle to keep the form.