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5 Ways to Shredded Abs

Combine these five moves in a single workout to pummel each abdominal region into submission.

by Nathan Mikeska, C.P.T.
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5 Ways to Shredded Abs
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5 Ways to Shredded Abs

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1 OF 7

1 of 7

5 Ways to Shredded Abs

Abs of Steel

For great abs, you’ve gotta eat great. But if you’ve got that part down and want to have abs that really impress, you’ve got to make sure that your routine is more diverse than “crunch-rest-repeat.” This means a well-rounded approach that hits your rectus abdominus (your sixer), your deep-lying transverse abdominus and obliques.

These five exercises provide the benefits of a flatter, harder, stronger middle but they also keep the focus where it belongs, instead of transferring it to your neck and back as some exercises can.
Get Stubborn Muscles to Grow

2 of 7

Flutter Kick

Flutter Kicks

This a classic move I spent hours doing in the Air Force – especially when we were being punished.

Lie on your back with you head and neck back on the mat relaxed (don’t try to hold your head up)Keep your abs tight and hold your legs straight out, about six inches above the groundYou can tuck your hands underneath your glutes to prevent lower back strain or straight out to the side.Perform scissor kicks up and down, under control, while keeping your legs extended and core tight.One kick with each leg constitutes one rep.
Bring Up Your Arm Size

3 of 7

30 best ab workouts leg raise MandF

Straight Leg Raises

This exercise is wonderful for working the lower abdominal area (and for angering hip flexors and souls).

Lie on your back with your legs extended and your head and neck on the mat relaxed. Don’t try to hold your head up.Keep your feet and knees together and start by holding your legs about six inches above the groundSlowly raise your legs straight up towards the ceiling until they are about perpendicular to the floor. Squeeze your lower abs tight.Lower back down slowly to the starting position and repeat.
Build Your Own 6-Pack

4 of 7

9 machines to avoid side plank

Side Raise

More oblique work via this less traditional move will help you to dig a little deeper into these streamlining, smooth muscles.

Start with your body lying on your side with your body weight distributed on your forearm and your feet on top of each other. Make sure your body is straight.“Press” your hip up off of the floor “through” your forearm.Raise your hips up so you body is in a straight line, with your head and neck aligned with the rest of your body, as in a side plank.Slowly lower your hip back down to the floor and then rise back up for another repetition.For an added challenge, hold your final rep for 5-10 seconds.
Recover Faster and Get Bigger

5 of 7

Sit up (1)

Alternating Elbow-to-Knee

Use this twisting move to dig into your obliques with waist-slimming efficiency.

Cross your arms across your chest making a X. The right hand will rest on the left shoulder and left hand on your right shoulder.Crunch up to bring your right elbow towards your left knee and return your shoulder blades back to the floor.Alternate to the other side to bring your left elbow up towards your right knee and return back to the starting position.Continue and repeat 10 times total on each side.
Build Mass, Lose Fat, and Get Crazy Strong

6 of 7

Medicine ball hip thrust 1

Hip Thrust

You can’t get enough work for your lower abs. This more advanced move will help you to put some authoritative punctuation on an already exhaustive routine.

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor or on a medicine ball.Keep your head and neck on the mat and slowly roll your legs up towards your earsRoll your hips up towards you while keeping your core tightLower your legs back down to the mat rolling your spine back down slowly keeping your core engaged.
6 Techniques to Build Your Dream Physique Fast

7 of 7

Six pack abs_14_4

The Workout

ExerciseSetsReps        Flutter Kick   515Straight-Leg Raise515Alternating Elbow-to-Knee  510 (each side)Side Raise510 (each side)Hip Thrust515Perform these exercises in straight sets, resting 30-60 seconds between sets, or do them circuit-style with no rest between exercises and about one minute between circuits.
The Best Routine

Back to intro

Abs of Steel

For great abs, you’ve gotta eat great. But if you’ve got that part down and want to have abs that really impress, you’ve got to make sure that your routine is more diverse than “crunch-rest-repeat.” This means a well-rounded approach that hits your rectus abdominus (your sixer), your deep-lying transverse abdominus and obliques.

These five exercises provide the benefits of a flatter, harder, stronger middle but they also keep the focus where it belongs, instead of transferring it to your neck and back as some exercises can.

Get Stubborn Muscles to Grow

Flutter Kicks

This a classic move I spent hours doing in the Air Force – especially when we were being punished.

  • Lie on your back with you head and neck back on the mat relaxed (don’t try to hold your head up)
  • Keep your abs tight and hold your legs straight out, about six inches above the ground
  • You can tuck your hands underneath your glutes to prevent lower back strain or straight out to the side.
  • Perform scissor kicks up and down, under control, while keeping your legs extended and core tight.
  • One kick with each leg constitutes one rep.
  • Bring Up Your Arm Size

    Straight Leg Raises

    This exercise is wonderful for working the lower abdominal area (and for angering hip flexors and souls).

  • Lie on your back with your legs extended and your head and neck on the mat relaxed. Don’t try to hold your head up.
  • Keep your feet and knees together and start by holding your legs about six inches above the ground
  • Slowly raise your legs straight up towards the ceiling until they are about perpendicular to the floor. Squeeze your lower abs tight.
  • Lower back down slowly to the starting position and repeat.
  • Build Your Own 6-Pack

    Side Raise

    More oblique work via this less traditional move will help you to dig a little deeper into these streamlining, smooth muscles.

  • Start with your body lying on your side with your body weight distributed on your forearm and your feet on top of each other. Make sure your body is straight.
  • “Press” your hip up off of the floor “through” your forearm.
  • Raise your hips up so you body is in a straight line, with your head and neck aligned with the rest of your body, as in a side plank.
  • Slowly lower your hip back down to the floor and then rise back up for another repetition.
  • For an added challenge, hold your final rep for 5-10 seconds.
  • Recover Faster and Get Bigger

    Alternating Elbow-to-Knee

    Use this twisting move to dig into your obliques with waist-slimming efficiency.

  • Cross your arms across your chest making a X. The right hand will rest on the left shoulder and left hand on your right shoulder.
  • Crunch up to bring your right elbow towards your left knee and return your shoulder blades back to the floor.
  • Alternate to the other side to bring your left elbow up towards your right knee and return back to the starting position.
  • Continue and repeat 10 times total on each side.
  • Build Mass, Lose Fat, and Get Crazy Strong

    Hip Thrust

    You can’t get enough work for your lower abs. This more advanced move will help you to put some authoritative punctuation on an already exhaustive routine.

    • Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor or on a medicine ball.
    • Keep your head and neck on the mat and slowly roll your legs up towards your ears
    • Roll your hips up towards you while keeping your core tight
    • Lower your legs back down to the mat rolling your spine back down slowly keeping your core engaged.

    6 Techniques to Build Your Dream Physique Fast

    The Workout

    Exercise

    Sets

    Reps        

    Flutter Kick   

    5

    15

    Straight-Leg Raise

    5

    15

    Alternating Elbow-to-Knee  

    5

    10 (each side)

    Side Raise

    5

    10 (each side)
    Hip Thrust

    5

    15

    Perform these exercises in straight sets, resting 30-60 seconds between sets, or do them circuit-style with no rest between exercises and about one minute between circuits.

    The Best Routine

    Author picture
    Written by Nathan Mikeska, C.P.T.
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