A set of sit-ups a day won't carve out a six-pack for you, no matter how long you keep it up for. This is because there is more than one area to your abdominal muscles and the abs only account for a section of the core muscle group. So, it's a good idea to establish a series of exercises that target both your abs and core muscles to start noticing significant results.
This routine includes a mixture of the best workouts for abs and core strengthening exercises so that you are able to develop core strength and help to define all areas of your abs.
It's an equipment-free workout so you won't need any weights or bands but it's wise to place one of the best yoga mats underneath you for extra padding and support on your joints and back.
Yoga mats are useful for all kinds of workouts whether you need one for your ab workouts, Pilates class, or for a softer landing while working through a HIIT workout for fat loss. Plus, you can nearly always find exercise mats for fairly cheap like the ones on offer below.
Once you have the right support for working on the floor you are ready to try fitness trainer, and co-founder of workout app EvolveYou, Krissy Cela's five-move ab and core routine. Cela uses her online platforms to help people with strength training, bodybuilding, and increasing muscular endurance. So this ab routine is worthwhile trying if you want to see more muscle definition around your midsection.
She demonstrates five exercises that target all areas of your abs. "I wanted to show you exercises that you’ll be seeing during your abs challenge that will help you target all areas!", notes Cela.
Watch Krissy Cela's Five Move Ab and Core Workout
Four of the main major muscles that make up your abdominals (also known as the six-pack muscles) are the rectus abdomen, transverse, internal obliques, and the external obliques. If you're curious to find out which of Cela's exercises work what, we've listed this below for you.
- Rectus abdomen: Crunch sit-ups
- Tranverse: Commandos
- Internal obliques: Side plank dips
- External obliques: Reverse mountain climbers
- Russian twists work all four
Everyone's genetics and body compositions differ, therefore, the visibility of your abs can vary too. Unfortunately, exercises like the ones above can't build abs on their own. You need to reduce your subcutaneous and visceral fat in order to see your abs. It's a good idea to read up on what to eat to lose belly fat as trying to consume fewer calories than you burn can help out so long as you do this safely and avoid depriving your body of nutrients.
-
My osteopath recommended this one move to stretch and strengthen tight hip flexors and I still swear by itOvercome tight hip flexors with this simple solution
-
A Pilates instructor says these four stretches are "better than a massage" for tight musclespilates Satisfying, effective exercises that will mobilize the entire body
