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Total Body Workouts That Are Also Very Good Ab Exercises
Rather than the standard ab exercise routines that we see so often with crunches, situps, leg lifts, etc, there are better choices for metabolism-boosting high intensity workouts that work the whole body while also working the abs.
I will show you an example today of one of my favorite ab workouts that doesn't consist of any direct ab routines at all. It's in a tri-set format (similar to a super-set but alternating among three exercises).
Here goes:
1a. Renegade Dumbbell Rows
1b. Front Squats using Barbell
1c. Mountain Climbers resting on Floor
An excellent rep scheme to utilize with this could be 3-4 sets of eight reps for every exercise, or more sets for much less reps, such as five sets of five reps of every exercise. Mountain climbers can be completed for a time interval (such as 30 seconds) instead of "reps".
Renegade dumbbell rows are done beginning with a pushup position with the palms on a couple of dumbbells. You then row one dumbbell up while stabilizing your body with the opposite arm. Bring the dumbbell back to the ground and alternate the rowing arm while stabilizing with the other arm. This stabilizing impact in the course of the rows creates unimaginable work for your entire midsection core area. Trust me, you would really feel it in the abs!
Front squats are carried out just like back squats, although with the barbell in front of your own body on the front of your shoulders rather than resting on the upper back as in back squats. You stabilize the barbell on your shoulders by crossing your arms and pushing your fists into the bar against your own shoulders while keeping your elbows out in front of the body. This takes just a little practice in the beginning, therefore you will want to search a professional coach at your fitness center that can assist you with the form. Front squats need extreme stabilization strength from the abs due to the barbell weight being shifted to the front of the body as opposed to the back. Though this is largely a leg workout, you would really feel this one within the abs big time!
Mountain climbers are done by beginning in a pushup stance and then shuffling your feet in and out so that your knees are moving in below your chest and then back out to the preliminary position. It sort of resembles climbing a mountain but flat on the floor. If you want an advanced type, you may also shuffle your arms 8-10 inches forward and backward in addition to the leg movements. This specifically makes it a full body exercise and MUCH harder than normal mountain climbers.
After ending each routine, take it easy for around 30 seconds before beginning the next routine. Take a break for around 1-2 minutes after completing every "tri-set" before repeating.
This gives you one of the best ab workouts you've ever had without even completing any direct ab exercises. You'll see what I mean after you try it!
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