Ab Workouts - Intermediate Workout Routine #3 For a Lean Stomach

Intermediate Ab Workout #3

Exercise: Air Bike
Sets: 3
Reps: 25
Rest: 60-90 seconds of rest between each set
Advice: Start by lying on your back on a mat on the floor with your hands behind your head. Keep both legs straight about one inch off of the floor. Immediately raise one knee (your choice) up to the elbow that is of the opposite side and try to touch your elbow to that knee. Repeat this step with your other knee and elbow for as many repetitions as you can. The idea is to execute the movement in a smooth and controlled fashion so as to simulate riding a bicycle while lying on your back. Be sure to concentrate on having your abdominals do the work!

Exercise: Sit-Ups
Sets: 3
Reps: 25
Rest: 60-90 seconds of rest between each set
Advice: Lie on your back on the floor on a mat with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent. Place your hands on either side of your head and execute the exercise by crunching your abs forward, so as to touch your elbows to your knees. Really focus on keeping your midsection contracted throughout the entire exercise. Slowly lower your body back to the start position and repeat.

Many people who are new to working out seem to always focus on developing ripped 6-pack abs. They really want to obtain a washboard like stomach that is lean and sexy. The key to getting shredded abs is diet and cardio since the only thing that is getting in the way is a layer of body fat. See, everyone actually already has 6-pack abs, its just that they are hidden under a layer of adipose tissue (body fat) that is hiding them. So, the most important things you can do is to eat a clean, healthy diet and include cardio workouts in order to burn calories so you can shed that layer of unwanted body fat that is keeping your six pack abs from popping out.

The abdominal muscles, also knows as "abs", are a group of muscles that provide movement and support to the trunk and torso, which is often called the "core". The core muscles are extremely important to mobility since they help control bodily movements, transfer energy, shift body weight and allow you to move in any direction. The abdominal muscles consist of:

• Transverse Abdominal
  
• Internal Obliques
  
• External Obliques
  
• Rectus Abdominis

The "core" is often referred to by personal trainers who advise their clients to develop this area in order to provide support for a weak lower back that usually causes pain in most people that have excess body fat in the abdominal region. If you have a "spare tire" or a "gut", you will be much more susceptible to issues with your lower back since the excess weight will put additional pressure on your back which over time will produce pain and discomfort. The abdominal muscles also assist in the breathing process and they have a direct influence on body posture. Developing a strong core is extremely important for creating and maintaining a healthy spine. As you get older, this is crucial to living a healthy and pain free life.

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