5 of the Best Ab Exercises Don’t Include Crunches

Instead of the typical ab exercise routines that we see so often with crunches, situps, leg lifts, etc… I would like to give you better options for metabolism-boosting, high intensity, fat burning workouts that actually work your entire body while also working your abs.

I’m going to show you an example of one of my favorite ab routines that doesn’t really include any direct ab work at all. It’s in a super-set format, which means you’ll move from one exercise to the next with little or no rest.

Here goes:

1a. Overhead Squat
1b. Renegade Rows
1c. Front Squat
1d. One Arm Incline Bench Press
1e. Deadlifts

A good rep scheme to use with this could be 3-4 sets of 8 reps for each exercise, or more sets for less reps, such as 5 sets of 5 reps of each exercise. You can also opt to do 2 sets of 15 - 20 reps for the cardio effect.

Overhead squats are done by bringing a barbell to shoulder level. Use a slightly wider than shoulder width grip on the bar. You can either press, or push press the weight overhead. Keeping the weight over your head, begin the squat motion. It’s important to maintain perfect form throughout the exercise. Do not let the bar move forward. In fact, as you begin the downward portion of the squat, you’ll probably want to move the bar slightly back. If you’re having problems keeping the bar from moving forward as you’re doing the squat, try using a wider grip. You’ll find out that trying to balance the weight over your head as you squat up and down is going to give you an amazing ab workout.

Renegade dumbbell rows are done starting in a pushup position with the hands on 2 dumbbells. You then row one dumbbell up while stabilizing your body with the other arm. Bring the dumbbell back to the ground and alternate the rowing arm while stabilizing with the opposite arm. This stabilizing effect during the rows creates incredible work for your entire midsection core area. Trust me… you’ll feel it in the abs!

Front squats are done similar to back squats, however with the barbell in front of your body on the front of your shoulders instead of resting on the upper back as in back squats. You stabilize the barbell on your shoulders by crossing your arms and pushing your fists into the bar against your shoulders while keeping your elbows out in front of the body. This takes a little practice at first, so you will want to seek a professional trainer at your gym to help you with the form. Front squats require extreme stabilization strength from the abs due to the barbell weight being shifted to the front of the body instead of the back. Even though this is mostly a leg exercise, you’ll feel this one in the abs big time!

One arm dumbbell incline bench presses are done just as you would expect. While lying on an incline bench, you’ll perform incline bench presses using one dumbbell instead of the usual two. This is a great oblique exercise as you will experiencing a rotational effect as the weight moves up and down. You’ll use your obliques to stabilize your body throughout the movement.

Deadlifts are performed by standing with a bar on the floor in front of you by your shins. Squat down and grab the bar with a shoulder width, or slightly wider than shoulder width grip. Keep the natural arch in your back, your eyes should be looking straight ahead. Maintain good posture as you lift the weight off the floor. Once you’re standing completly up, thrust your chest out. Lower the weight back down to floor with control. Keep your abs tight throughout the exercise. By keeping the abs tight, you’ll definitely feel this one in the abs, and this is a great finisher.

After finishing each exercise, rest about 0-60 seconds before starting the next exercise. Rest about 1-2 minutes after completing each super-set before repeating.

This will give you one of the best ab workouts you’ve ever had without even doing any direct ab exercises. You’ll see what I mean after you try it!

If you are tired of failing to get visible six pack abs, consider losing the traditional ab exercises and bogus ab gadget machines that do nothing but wast your time, and money. Find out the real fat loss for abs truth at Best Ab Exercises & Workouts for Abdominals.

Related articles:

1. Do the Goblet Squat, Get Tight Abs
2. Do One Complex, Use One Dumbbell, Work Every Muscle
3. Front Squats for Tight Abs
4. An Olympic Triathlete’s Ab Workout
5. About Me

Tags: Ab Exercises, best ab exercise