Everybody wants a flat tummy and a stronger core. But even if you’re in great physical condition, you may still not have a visible six-pack, since our abdominal muscles are often covered under a layer of stubborn fat around the midsection.
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You can do a thousand crunches every day, but until you lose that belly fat, that six-pack will remain elusive.
Read: Intense Core Workout For Six-Pack Abs
So what can be done? The best regime for six-pack abs focuses on dynamic, cardio-intensive exercises, in combination with a clean diet. Core body exercises that ramp up your heart rate while targeting your midsection at the same time are the best for revealing that toned tummy.
To achieve a quick cardio burst, repeat this circuit up to five times within 20 minutes.
High Knees
Stand up straight. Jump one leg up high, bringing your knee as high to your chest as possible. Quickly jumping from leg to leg for a fast cardio movement. Continue this for at least 30 seconds.
Mountain Climbers
Lie face down in a straight arm plank position with your hands below your shoulders. From your neck to your ankles, your body should form a straight line. Bend your right knee, bringing it up towards your your chest. Repeat with the opposite leg. Continue to do as many as possible in 30 seconds. (Option: Use a BOSU ball-balance trainer if your prefer).
Burpees
The burpee is one of the best workouts for your abs, as well as the rest of your body. Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart. Raise your arms above your head and jump up off the ground as high as possible. Land softly and jump back your feet into pushup position. Lower your chest to perform a pushup, then jump your legs out and return to a standing position. Repeat. Do as my repetitions in 30 seconds as possible.
The Bicycle
Lie flat on your back and keep your hands behind your head. Lift your shoulders off the floor and hold the position. Bring your left knee towards your right elbow then switch sides by bringing you right knee towards your left elbow. Keep the pedaling motion continuous for as long as you can. This exercise targets the internal and external obliques, specifically the love handles.
Jack Knife Crunch
Lie flat on your back, fully extending your arms behind your head and your legs out, slightly in the air. (Cross your knees if you need to for balance.) Exhale as you raise your extended arms up to meet your feet in a fluid motion, constricting and contracting your abs. Lower your arms and legs back slowly, then repeat.
Reverse Crunch
While lying on your back, keep your hands behind your head and put your legs at a 90-degree angle. Curl your hips off the floor and move your feet towards the ceiling by flexing your abdominal muscles. Repeat the exercise as many times as you can within 1 minute.
Even the best workouts for abs are made useless unless you maintain a proper and healthy diet. The famous quote “abs are not made in the gym, but in the kitchen” holds true, so combine these moves with a clean, healthy diet filled with lean proteins and vegetables.