Rock Hard Abs

Scott Schwab
I wanted to post on a couple of ideas for the mid section that we are all trying to get in shape. I have a couple of workouts that I do on a weekly basis, but some you can only do in a gym with the appropriate equipment, while others can be done at home. I will give you a couple of each and see if they can help.
Pull Up Abs
This workout is best with a dumbbell and a pull up bar. You need to have your feet off of the ground so that you can bring your legs up to your chest and slowly down but not touching the ground. The most effective ab workout that I have done, is to take a 10 pound weight and squeeze it between my feet. By holding it between your feet, each lifting action with your legs is more difficult. Also by concentrating on keeping the weight from falling, subconsciously you are flexing your whole body. This is amazing for your abs. To regular lifts to your chest and back down again. Then switch it up with bringing your knees side to side. The important thing is to be in the hanging position.
Good Morning Abs
This machine is designed in a way that you put your feet on a platform that extends in a 45 degree angle. There is pads that you rest your mid section on and it is usually elevated about 3 feet. It is amazing to take a weight and put in on the floor below you. As you take your lower body and hang to the floor, pick up the weight and start pulling your body up as high as you can go. After the straight up and down workout, take your body and lay sideways on the machine. This will really work your oblique area and really make a difference with the weight in one hand and the other hand on your hip or behind your head. Make sure that you do both sides and have light weight so as not to hurt your back. It is important to listen to your body because you can really hurt your back. It is a great way to work out your back, abs, gluts, and obliques.
Ball Sit Ups
I have posted about the ball exercise before. This is perfect for not being able to get to the gym if you have a exercise ball at home. If not you can get them for about 5 bucks. To really stretch and elongate your abdominal muscles, you will rock back and forth on the ball. As you lean all the way back and your head is almost touching the ground, you will breath in and out almost like you just got the wind knocked out of you. This way it is short bursts of breathing that is actually flexing your abs. It is a great workout and you can even make it more challenging by adding in some light dumbbells.
Air Abs
As I am sure you have noticed, I am giving names to these that you have probably never heard, but hopefully will remember. This can be done at home, in a hotel, on the road, etc. You will lay on your back with you feet raised to the 45 degree angle. Take your feet together and move them all around. Sideways, up and down, separate them from side to side, but make sure you keep your back and butt on the floor. Do this group as long as you can, but it is more important that you have good form, then to have crappy form but go for longer. Remember keep the legs straight as can be and then go to town. It will feel great and you will notice a huge difference. Like with all of the workouts, do multiple sets and with abs, I try and shoot for as many reps as possible. Good luck and let me know what you think.