Crunches have earned the reputation of being the most popular and probably the best ab exercises.
People who want to achieve the abs of their dreams immediately jump into making crunches their workout of preference.
However, you shouldn't just settle on performing just crunches.
In reality, crunches are indeed effective in giving you a six pack or a sexy, ripped stomach.
Gym teachers must have known this and it was probably the reason why crunches were taught to students during elementary days.
Despite their effectiveness, crunches have still changed into other more modern workouts that are also terrific in shaping up abs.
The performance of crunches has evolved through the years.
For example, they can now be performed with the help of an exercise ball.
You can sit on the ball lay you back on it.
It may also be placed under your lower back.
When in this position, the arms can be placed behind the back or crossed over the chest.
Pulling your ribcage toward your hips, of course while targeting your abs, is easier with help from the exercise ball.
Another change in crunches is the positioning of arms.
Previously, hands were supposed to be placed behind the head or over the chest.
Now, crunches can be performed with arms extended over the head.
You must be able to lift your shoulder blades from the floor with your arms still near your ears.
This position is meant to target the upper ab muscles.
Modern crunches have also changed when it comes to the sitting position.
Previously, you had to hit all the way off the floor.
Today, you can lie flat on your back and use your legs, as is the case of the reverse crunch exercise.
In this workout, the knees are bended and are pulled toward the torso.
You no longer have to lift your torso off the ground just to get a crunch.
However, keep in mind that the exercise is intended for the abs and not for the legs so ab muscles should be targeted while doing this.
Another result of the evolution of the best ab workouts is the full vertical crunch.
In this exercises, you must lay flat on your back on the floor.
Then raise both legs, pointing at the ceiling.
Then, for a "u" shape by lifting your torso.
Your hands must be behind your back.
With every crunch you do, you must push your heels upward.
Apart from crunches, other exercises are also recognized as among the best ab workouts.
The bicycle is a proven exercise that targets the rectus abdominis muscles.
This group of muscles are responsible for giving that six pack.
The workout also develops the obliques.
To perform the bicycle, you must lay flat on the floor on your back.
Place your hands behind your head and pull your knees toward the chest.
At the same time, your shoulder blades must also be lifted off the ground.
Next, straighten one leg.
Pull your shoulder blades to the direction of the bended knee, with the tip of the elbow touching the tip of the knee.
The right elbow must touch the left knee and the left elbow much touch the right knee.
Do this alternately for for 2 to 16 reps.
Using this and other best ab workouts like the captain's chair leg raise and the ab rocker will help you attain the abs of your dreams.