Abs, abs, abs. Don’t they seem impossible to achieve sometimes? It’s like you’re doing everything right – eating cleaner, increasing your cardio – and still nothing! It can kind of be intimidating in a sense, and the infamous questions pops into our heads of “what am I doing wrong?” Quit your overthinking and try these 6 ab moves to tone your stomach in no time. If you stay persistent, the results will follow. Here are our favorite moves for toned abs…
Kettlebell- Windmill
This workout can be used with or without a weight depending on your level of fitness. Whatever you decide to use, you’ll get the same result so don’t force yourself into an injury. You begin this workout with your feet slightly wider than your hip distance apart. Rotate your left toes outward and raise your right arm above your head, keeping your eyes trained on the weight or your hands.
Shift your hips to the right trying not to let your pelvis swing behind you as you move into the sassy position. As you shift your hips right, your weight will shift to the right, too. Lower your torso toward the floor, so the kettlebell or your hand hovers just off the floor. Keep your body as flat as possible, with the ankles, hips, and shoulders in one plane.
This position feels a lot like a tight Triangle pose in yoga. Try maintaining your torso still as you bring your left hand to your left shoulder in a biceps curl, while keeping your left arm bent and your right arm pointing to the ceiling, come to standing position. Complete the rep by bringing your left arm overhead, working your shoulder. Lower your left arm down to return to starting position, and repeat.
Plank Bunny Hop
The Plank bunny hop is tough, but it will definitely get you the results you want. Begin in a plank position with feet touching. No weight is needed for this specific workout because you’ll need your hands to lift you. Pull your abs in, and jump your feet to the right, bringing your knees toward your right elbow. Your torso will twist to the right. To complete one rep, jump your feet back to plank. Repeat on the other side and continue alternating sides for 20 reps total.
Elbow Plank
Who doesn’t enjoy a good core workout when planks are involved? Begin this workout starting face down on the floor, resting on your forearms and knees. Push off the floor, raising up off your knees onto your toes and resting mainly on your elbows. Contract your abdominal to keep yourself up and prevent your booty from sticking up. Keep your back flat — don’t let it drop or you’ll be defeating the purpose. Picture your body as a long straight board (or plank). Hold as long as you can. Aim for 20-30 seconds in the beginning and work your way up to one minute, as you get stronger. Repeat three times.
Bird Dog Ab Move
Get on all fours, with your knees under your hips and your hands under your shoulders. This position will resemble a dog standing on all fours. Remember to keep abs engaged and keep your back flat. Reach out with your right hand and extend your left leg out behind you. Bring your hand and leg in. It’s important to round your back and head to connect your right elbow with your left leg under your body. Extend right hand and left leg back out. Repeat for a total of 15 times, and then switch sides.
Scissor Kicks
Lie flat on your back. Extend your arms so they’re against the sides of your body with your palms pressing into the floor, or bend your elbows and place your palms under the back of your head. Bend your knees and draw them into your ribs. This will make it easier to pull your navel in toward your spine and actively press your lower back flat on the ground.
Lift both legs straight up toward the ceiling, continuing to engage your abs and pressing your lower back into the ground. Keeping your core strong, slowly lower your right leg down toward the ground until it is a few inches above. Then slowly scissor your legs, lifting your right leg back up as you lower your left leg down toward the ground. You may not feel this until you do it for a while, so repeat reps until you feel the burn.
Ball Pike Plank
You will need an exercise ball for this move. Start in a plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your shins on the ball. Do not allow your lower back to arch. Keep your feet, pelvis, and shoulders in one long line.
On an exhale, pull your abs deeply to your spine and use your abs to fold your body in half, pulling the ball forward toward your hands as your pelvis moves up in the air. Your toes will move onto top of ball and your back will become perpendicular to the floor like a handstand. Allow your head to fall between your arms, keeping your neck long and in line with your spine. Lower yourself back into a plank position and do not allow your pelvis to sag below your shoulders.
As many of you already know if it comes easy it won’t stick around long. With hard work and dedication with these 6 awesome ab moves, your results will begin to peak through. Have you tried any of these ab moves? Which moves do you believe works best in achieving the results you want? Share your ab work outs with us below!
