đĽSIX PACK ABS âWRONG VS RIGHTâ
Once your diet is on point, make sure you do these six key exercises to get you started on making your abs the best theyâve ever been.
âłď¸SETS: 4
âłď¸REPS: 15
âłREST EACH SET: 60
đ¨1. Pullup
[wp_ad_camp_4]
Why it works your abs: People typically think of the pullup as an exercise for your biceps and back, and it is. But when done correctlyâno flailing legs, no kipping, no hip hingesâpullups also require a formidable amount of core strength. As you pull yourself up to the bar, your abs need to work hard to keep your body still.
How to do it: Grasp a pullup bar with a grip thatâs slightly wider than shoulder width. Pull your shoulder blades down and back, bend your legs behind you, cross your feet, squeeze your butt, and brace your abs (this ensures your core gets worked). This is the start position. Pull yourself up until your collarbone reaches the bar, driving your elbows down toward your hips. Return to the start position. If unable to pull yourself up, loop an exercise band over the bar and around your knees, and use that force to help you
Sets:Â 3
Reps:Â To failure
Rest: 2 min. between sets
Â
đ¨2. Medicine Ball Slam
Why it works your abs: This oneâs a double-whammy. Picking up a weighted ball requires your posterior chain to fire, like in a deadlift or a clean. When you slam the ball downward, make sure you fire your core hard while hinging at your hips, which will ensure your entire abs muscle has to fire. Donât just drop it from above your head.
How to do it: Grab a fairly light-weight medicine ball and hold it up above your head. Keeping your torso totally upright with good posture, throw the medicine ball directly downward at the ground as hard as you can. Just be careful: Some bounce back!
[wp_ad_camp_5]
Sets:Â 3
Reps:Â 20
Rest:Â 1 min. between sets
đ¨3. Ab Wheel Rollout
Why it works: This oneâs a classic, and rightfully so. Contrary to what you might expect, your abs donât actually move all that much in an ab wheelâitâs more of an isometric exerciseâbut they do have to work extraordinarily hard to keep your torso from collapsing onto the floor. A few sets of these and your abs will be screaming for mercy.
[wp_ad_camp_2]
How to do it: Kneel on the floor with your knees directly under your hips and your hands directly under your shoulders holding the handles of an ab wheel. Slowly push your hips forward and roll the ab wheel out, keeping your back flat and allowing your arms to extend in front of your body. As soon as it feels like you canât roll anymore without the risk of falling, push your palms toward the floor, simultaneously squeezing your abs and pushing your hips back toward the start position until you reach it.
Sets:Â 4
Reps:Â To failure
Rest:Â 90 sec. between sets
đ¨4. Pallof Press
Why it works so well: The Pallof is relatively exotic. You donât see many guys doing it, at least not in the gyms weâve been in. But trust us: Few moves combine rotational effort and straight-ahead effort like the challenging Pallof press, which require your abs to prevent your torso from turning as you increase the torque by moving your hands forward. Bonus: Itâs also a great way to improve your shoulder strength.
[wp_ad_camp_1]
How to do it: Attach a D-handle to a cable cross machine and adjust the pulley to chest height (a resistance band around a pole works, too). Stand about two feet away from the machine and pull the handle to your chest. If your right shoulder is closest to the machine, your right hand should hold the handle and your left should be more of a guide. While bracing your core, push the handle straight out, so the handle stays directly in front of your chest. Slowly return the handle to your chest.
Sets:Â 4
Reps:Â 10 on each side
Rest: 1 min. between sets