Ab Workouts - Intermediate Workout Routine #4 For a Lean Stomach

Intermediate Ab Workout #4

Exercise: Alternate Heel Touchers
Sets: 3
Reps: 25
Rest: 60-90 seconds of rest between each set
Advice: Begin by lying on your back on a mat on the floor with both feet flat on the floor as well. Keep both arms laid flat on the floor by your sides. Start this exercise by having one hand reach to touch your heel on its same side. The motion will be similar to a regular crunch. Repeat this step on the opposite side for as many repetitions as you can. This exercise is designed to target your oblique muscles.

Exercise: Side Jackknife
Sets: 3
Reps: 25
Rest: 60-90 seconds of rest between each set
Advice: Lie on your right side on the floor on a mat and keep your left leg over your right, placing your right hand in a comfortable spot and your left hand behind your head. Bring your torso and left leg toward each other as you pull with your obliques. Squeeze for a one-count and return to the starting position.

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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