The truth is, it is never too late to start abdominal exercises. Regardless of your current condition, abdominal exercises can be done by people of all levels. Do you want to sport the perfect six-pack?

Perhaps just a little toning would suffice? Maybe you’re trying to lose weight after pregnancy. Either way, abdominal exercises can be easier than they initially look, and if you have the determination and stick to your goals, you will see the effects sooner rather than later! What shouldn’t be forgotten is the importance of matching your exercise plan with the right diet and being aware of the nutritional requirements. Alongside this, it is recommended to do some cardiovascular training for better results. A few things to keep in mind.

If you are just a beginner in the world of abdominal exercise, you may require a few guidelines to get you started. This article is going to provide you with some of the best abdominal exercises that you can try. From those, you should choose three or four to get the ball rolling. Aim to perform these exercises between three and five times a week. When you start, you should do repetitions of the abdominal exercises that are most comfortable to you, increasing the repetitions every now and then when you feel the time is right. Once you start to see some results, consider trying some of the other exercises. Without further ado, here are what are regarded as the best abdominal exercises:

Lets begin with the ‘bicycle crunch’. You should position yourself to lie flat on the floor and press your lower back to the ground. Your hands should be kept at the side of your head and your knees raised to an approximately 45-degree angle. Begin moving your legs as if you were riding a bicycle at a steady pace and then incorporate arm movement by touching your right elbow to the left knee followed by the left elbow to the right knee. Remember to keep a steady breathing pattern and resist pulling on your neck.

If you have access to an exercise ball, consider using it to do crunches. Take a seat on the exercise ball and place your feet flat to the ground. Gently let the ball roll back and have your body move with it until your thighs and torso are parallel with the floor. Tighten the abdominal muscles and raise your torso to a 45-degree angle, holding for a few seconds before releasing slowly back down. Repeat this motion. The nearer you place your feet together, the more balance is required which will work harder on your oblique muscles.

Onto the ‘vertical leg crunch’. Lie onto your back and raise your legs up towards the ceiling with a slight bend at the knee. You should try to keep your legs in this position as you contract your abdominal muscles and raise your torso to your knees. Hold this position for a few seconds before lowering back down and then repeating the movement.

For ‘the plank’, lay face down with your forearms and toes on the floor, push your body up and position yourself to be in a straight line from your head to your feet. Retain this position for ten seconds to begin with. As time passes you will be aiming to keep the position for longer periods of time.

Another great abdominal exercise is the ‘oblique crunch’. Lie down, bending your knees and putting your feet firmly to the floor. Move your legs so they rest on the floor to your right side. Place your hands at the side of your head, remembering not to pull on the neck. Push your lower back to the floor and roll up slowly so that your shoulders are a few inches off the ground. Hold for two seconds and lower yourself back down. This exercise should be repeated with the legs to either side of the body.

Finally, if you fancy yourself as a superhero: ‘alternating superman’. This exercise is better conducted with the use of a gym mat. Lay face down and reach your arms above your head, just like superman. Lift your left leg and your right arm to around six inches from the mat and hold for a few seconds. Alternate with the right leg and left arm. Repeat.

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