Don’t be fooled into believing that you need expensive, specialized equipment to have great abs. The Ablifter, the Abdominizer, and Abs of Steel are all myths created by late night infomercials. True abdominal fitness requires dedication and little or no equipment and a regular ab workout.

We all have abdominal muscles. Some of us are sporting six packs while others of us look like we are about to give birth.

The truth is, most of us fall somewhere in between and could use toning in the abdominal area. With fifteen to thirty minutes three days a week of ab workout and a flat, padded surface you can get your abs into great shape.

The following exercises will provide you with an excellent abdominal workout. Your program should include 2 sets of 16 reps for each exercise. Plan on doing these exercises three times a week.

1) A five-minute cardio warm up. This can include walking, biking, dancing, and swimming. This warm up will prepare your body for the abdominal exercises.

2) Ball crunches. These exercises will tone your upper front ab muscles.

3) Knee tucks. These exercises will tone your lower abdominals. You can vary knee tucks by doing sideways knee tucks that will work your obliques. (Obliques are the long muscles that wrap around your waist).

4) Bicycle. The bicycle will work your lower and upper abdominal muscles. This exercise will help give you that sleek, toned look.

5) Back extensions. These extensions will work all of your core abdominal muscles. They will give you better posture and more flexibility.

The goal of your ab workout should be a lean, smooth, and toned abdominal core. In order to achieve this you will need to do cardio exercises in addition to your basic ab workout.

If you are doing the above ab workout 3 days a week you can do thirty to forty-five minutes of cardio on the days you do not do your ab workout. Walking, jogging, and biking would all give you a great cardio workout.

Ab workouts have many advantages. They are low cost, in most cases free. You might want to eventually invest in a medicine ball but you do not need any special equipment to begin.

Ab workouts are quick and can be performed anywhere there is a flat, padded surface. You do not need to have an expensive gym membership. There is a low risk of injury if you are conscious of using good form and you will see an increase in your level of all over fitness along with your toned abdominals. An average ab workout burns 40 calories.

One additional bonus of consistent abdominal toning is great posture. As the muscles of your upper and lower abdomen strengthen your upper and lower back muscles will become more toned. This will lead to improved posture and a leaner looking body.

Lastly, your ab workout should include a diet low in fat. By combining your ab workout, cardio workout, and low fat diet you will soon begin to see your waistline shrink. Your ab workout will improve the fitness of your entire core including your upper and lower abs, your obliques, and your upper and lower back muscles.

One last bonus of consistent abdominal toning is great posture. As the muscles of your upper and lower abdomen strengthen your upper and lower back muscles will become more toned. This will lead to improved posture and a leaner looking body.

Richard Black helps people learn about cardio and weight training
at his website on weight training routines.

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