Abs are sometimes neglected in exercise routines, and in others, they are a vital part in a quest to achieve a peek physical physique. When exercising, allow time to tone your abs as it can make a big difference overall to your fitness, health and appearance. Here are some of the best exercises for toning your abs:
Abdominal Hold
According to Fitness Magazine, an abdominal hold is done by sitting on the edge of a chair and using your arms and legs to lift you from it, allowing you to hold your upper body in the air. During the lift, tighten your abs for 5 to 10 seconds and repeat.
This is an easy way to tone your abs as all you need is a chair and some upper body strength.
Make sure you have a steady chair for this exercise – a chair with no wheels is highly encouraged to prevent you from flying across the room!
The Hundred
This exercise is done by lying down on the ground with your knees bent and your palms facing down. You then have to raise your legs up in the air and keep them stable while you raise your arms slightly and move them up and down fast. Do around 100 pumps to feel this exercise at its fullest!
This exercise encourages abdominal strength, arm strength, and balance.
As with every exercise, make sure you do it safely and ask for help if you need it. If you would like some professional help, consider getting a trainer or going to a boot camp. Prestige Boot Camp has camps in many destinations, meaning you can double-up your workout routines with some sightseeing– imagine toning your abs in sunny Spain or Portugal!
Ballet Switch
This exercise is pretty simple. Just sit on the floor with your legs together and lean back, keeping your abs contracted while placing one arm above your head and the other on the mat and twist your torso.
Make sure your heels are on the floor and alternate sides for a full abdominal exercise.
Plank
The NHS website encourages the plank as a great abdominal exercise.
To do this exercise, simply lie on your front propped up with your forearms and toes supporting you. Then keep your legs straight and contract your abs.
This exercise requires patience and perseverance. Don’t worry if you don’t have much upper body strength, hold your position for as long as you can and repeat.
Side Plank
The side plank is similar to the plank but it requires you to lie on your side propped up with an elbow, making it harder than the plank as it requires more balance.
Keeping a straight line is important for this one as you contract your abs, and you must repeat it on the other side for a full workout.
As with most abdominal exercises, hold the position for around 10 seconds or more if you can, and repeat 8 to 10 times.
Doing any of these exercises will definitely improve your abs and you’ll see results in no time if you keep it up!