The Only 3 Ab Exercises You Need

Build Your Sexy Core That’ll Drive Your Partner Crazy

With all the fitness videos and books out there it’s no wonder we all get totally confused and overwhelmed with doing one ab exercise after another in the search of getting that tight midsection.

But what if we were not only to take a different approach but to just chill the f””” down and just make the most of it with 3 exercises that are key to building that core foundation. You know the best part of it?  When your significant other puts their arms around you they are going to not feel a pear shape but rather a sexy core that will drive them crazy!

So next time you’re sweating because those reps are getting harder and harder remember the sexy core you are building and defining, it’s going to be so worth it.

Here we go…

Exercise 1: Targeting the lower abs

Almost all of the exercises you’ll see in the fitness magazines work the upper abs  but there’s no question about it, the hanging knee tucks are by far the best exercise to help you build those lower abs.  The good news is that by hanging and from a bar and using your lower abs to pull your knees to your chest you stimulate the lower belly muscles like none other. (View hanging knee tucks exercise here)

The Exercise Tip:  Yes this is a pretty hard exercise and you can simplify it by doing the same movement lying on a bench or even on the floor.  Once you get the ability to do about 20 reps you will be ready to move to hanging from a bar and raising your knees.

Goal: Your goal should be to get to about 3 sets of 10-15 reps with 30 seconds rest between sets.

Exercise 2: Targeting the upper abs

One thing I’ll guarantee you is that almost no one will explain the right way to do a proper crunch as what you’re just about to read! First of all, the exercise is not a revolutionary one it’s simply ab crunches, but one thing that I particularly like is doing the ab crunches on a stability ball.  The ball has numerous benefits such as reducing strain on your back and also bringing into effect all the surrounding muscles to help stabilize you. (View ab crunches on stability exercise here)

The Exercise Tip:  Instead of smashing out 10 or 15 reps as fast as you can you’re going to go super slow and clench your abs at the top position for 2-3 seconds.  This will burn and really focus all the tension on the upper abs.  Remember to place hands behind your neck but not press on your neck staring at one point in the ceiling to keep your neck straight.

Goal: Going with so much focus and attention to your abs you will notice that getting to 10 reps will actually be a good challenge, but just go for it and give it everything you got.  You will eventually be able to get to 4 sets of 15-20 reps with 30 seconds of rest between the sets.

Exercise 3: The plank that brings it all together

The plank is an incredible exercise to really strengthen your entire core which also involves the muscles supporting your lower back.  I like to recommend doing this one after the above two exercises so that you can really feel your abs tighten and the best part is that if you are having a lot of difficulty holding the plank position you can place your knees on the ground to provide a couple seconds of relief. (View plank exercise here)

The Exercise Tip:  To do this exercise all you need to remember is that you have a broom stick lying flat on your back, which means don’t have your butt sticking up in the air (what most people tend to do).  Focus on tightening your butt muscles as well as your abs and you are set.

Goal: You want to get to holding the plank for 60 seconds doing three sets with 30 seconds rest between each set. If you find it getting easy you can raise one leg in the air, and then eventually the opposite arm as well.  You can also add variety by using a bosu ball or stability ball.

There you have it, the only 3 ab exercises you’ll ever need, combine it with a clean eating nutrition plan (make sure to read my article Principles of Clean Eating to Live By) and you are totally on your way to building that foundation and carving your ab muscles. Give it about 6 weeks and watch your partner put their arm around you and feel those sexy core muscles!

If you have any questions about these exercises I’d definitely love to read and reply to your comments below…