Sometimes it’s not just about the cardiovascular exercise, equally the amount of effort you put towards cardio should also be placed onto strength training. The idea of strength training your core shouldn’t make you feel exhausted, instead you should look forward to the mixture of exercise routines that are available.

Things you should know:

• Whilst side crunches target your obliques, standard crunches help strengthen your rectus abdominis. Ensure you know what exercise does what for your body.
• Just doing crunches alone won’t give you those abs you’ve been dreaming of, you must participate in cardio exercise and most importantly change your diet completely.

Suggested Routines for Abs

Standard Crunch

Step by Step :

1. The basics of exercise for abs, for a standard crunch you need to lie down on your back with knees bent.
2. Place your hands behind your head.
3. Whilst doing this routine you should never pull your neck up with your hands.
4. Contract your abs and lift your head and shoulder blades off the ground.
5. Your neck can curl slightly, however it shouldn’t strain toward your chest.
6. As you lower back down your head should hover just off the ground.
7. Repeat.

Weighted Crunch

Step by Step :

1. Lay on your back with knees bent.
2. Hold a weight of your choice but preferably light at the center of your chest.
3. Curl up without letting your chin touch your chest.
4. Lower back down with control for one rep.

Reverse Crunch

Step by Step :

1. Lay on your back.
2. Hips and knees bent at 90-degree angles.
3. You shins should be parallel to the floor.
4. Place your arms alongside your body, palms facing down.
5. Contract your lower abdominal muscles to lift your butt and lower back off the ground.

Bicycle Crunch

Step by Step :

1. Lay flat on your back with hands behind your head.
2. Contract your lower abs to raise your legs a few inches off the ground.
3. Twist your torso and bend your left knee so that your right elbow crosses your body and reaches toward your left knee.
4. Switch and twist to the other side so that your left elbow reaches toward your bent right knee.
5. Continue alternating sides without tucking your chin toward your chest.

Full Sit-Up

Step by Step :

1. Lay on your back with your knees bent.
2. Keeping your feet solid to the ground.
3. Lift your body up into a sitting position.
4. Make sure you don’t let your chin tuck into your chest.
5. Only use your abs to pull you up to a seated position.
6. Lower your body back down and repeat.

Reverse Crunch Pulse

Step by Step :

1. Lay on your back with your legs up in the air.
2. Keep your arms down along your side with palms facing down.
3. Squeeze your lower abs.
4. Raise your glutes and lower back off the floor.

V-Ups

Step by Step :

1. Lie on your back.
2. Arms can either be by your side or above your head.
3. Engage your core and lift both your torso and legs straight off the ground.
4. Touch your toes if it helps.
5. Keep your core tight and your legs straight.