subject: Five Quick Ab Exercises At Home [print this page] Can't get to the gym? Don't let that be an excuse to skimp out on your core training! One of the great things about ab workouts is that you can easily do a lot of the exercises at home.
Plus, ab training is usually pretty quick and doesn't even require a major wardrobe change. Anything casual is usually a workable outfit for a quick home abs session.
Here's five quick exercises that you can use to at least get SOME sort of training in if you absolutely can't make it to the gym. Most of these exercises are also very TV-friendly, if that darn ADHD doesn't let you sit still long enough to get a few exercises in.
1.The Plank- this is a dirt simple exercise, and that's what makes it so great. All you have to do is get in the push-up position (meaning, pushed-up into the air, not lying on the ground, lazybones!). And, if you can't hold yourself up like that, then just bend your arms and rest on your elbows and forearms. Try to hold it for thirty seconds and see how "easy" you think this exercise is!
2. Side Plank- pretty much the same thing, but different. This exercise looks like a push-up position done on your side. Once again, if you can't hold yourself up due to upper body strength or shoulder injury, bend your arm and rest on your elbow and forearm.
3. Stability Ball Leg Lift- this is a great one for when you're watching TV. Why let that time go to waste when you could be challenging your abs as well? Just sit on the stability ball in front of the TV, and lift one leg up, then alternate to the other leg, and back and forth. Or, if you're really daring, lift both legs up at once (be sure to keep a hand on a nearby wall or couch or something to stabilize yourself enough that you don't fall over!)
4. Six Inches- this dreaded old-school exercise is great for the lower abs and simple to do. Just plop down on the floor, lie flat, and lift your heels six inches off of the ground and KEEP them there. See how long you can keep that up! Or, make it more challenging by slowly spreading your legs apart and bringing them back together as you keep them in the air.
5. Medicine Ball Twist- Just sit in front of the TV with the medicine ball on one side of you. Turn slightly to pick it up with both hands, and turn slightly to the other side to put it back own on the opposite side. Repeat in the opposite direction, and keep repeating. Simple, right? But this is a great exercise for the obliques, or side abs or love handles/ muffin tops, if things have gotten a little out of control down there.
There you have it. Five quick, simple exercises you can do if you're stuck at home and can't (or won't) make it to the gym. Getting your ab exercises in at home isn't hard you just have to do it.
