Top Five Ab Exercises at Home

I keep repeating this, because it’s true. One of the best things about training abs is that it’s very easy to do ab exercises at home. On top of that, it’s easy to do them with little or no equipment (and therefore little or no expense!)

This is more important than you may think. One of the biggest challenges for most people with any sort of exercise (not just abs) is actually DOING it. So often, people get stuck on thinking “I don’ wanna!” (misspelling intentional, by the way) and never even make it to the gym at all. They’re home, they’re comfortable, they don’t feel like getting off of the couch, even if it is for a short little trip to the gym… we’ve all been there.

If you can do your abs training at home, it significantly reduces that barrier to actually performing the exercise. Now, there’s no excuse. You can’t complain that home is too far away to get to… you’re already there. You can’t say you’re intimidated by the scary bodybuilder guy who keeps barking whenever he does deadlifts. He’s not in your house (hopefully).

And, if you’re too ADHD to go through an abs routine… there’s the TV, right there. Train your abs as you watch that riveting documentary on the mating habits of the lemur or find out who’s getting kicked off of the island or whatever. But don’t tell me you can’t train your abs. Bull.

Okay, so here’s my top choices on working toward a flatter stomach while still on your own carpet:

1. The good old fashioned exercise crunch- This is a classic mainstay, and for good reason. Just plunk yourself down on the ground and crunch away towards better abs. Better than the sit-up because it doesn’t involve the hip flexors, requires no equipment, and is good for the beginner on up to the expert.

2. The good old fashioned exercise crunch… on the ball- The exercise ball is such a fantastic addition to any abs routine that really, not using one should be a crime. They’re inexpensive (think twenty bucks, incredibly versatile, and add in exactly what every abs workout ideally capitalizes on… instability.

3. The side plank- My favorite choice for the obliques or side abs. Far superior to any plate-loaded machine at the gym, hands down. It won’t bulk you up or injure, either, which is more than I can say for that ridiculous dumbbell side bend I keep seeing people do at the gym. That nonsense will tear up the joints of your lower back in no time.

4. The superman- A good choice at home for training what I like to call the “back abs”, or extensor muscles of the lower back. These are important because they complete that circle of muscles that make up what’s called your “core”, which protects your spine as well as holds your guts in!

5. Medicine ball toss-up- No, you’re not eating a medicine ball and then vomiting it. This is the one where you lie on your back with your feet in the air and toss the ball up while lifting your shoulders slightly off of the floor. Such a great exercise… really, any medicine ball exercise is great. Along with the stability ball, the medicine ball is another fantastic, inexpensive tool to add to the tool box.

So there’s a quick survey of my favorite ab exercises at home. Remember, it doesn’t take a lot of money or a trip to the gym to get a great core workout in. Now get on the floor and play!

Want to learn more about ab exercises at home? Visit my website at www.roadmaptoabs.com for helpful tips and information on getting the six-pack abs you want.