MIDSECTION WORKOUTS
5 THE HARD WAY!
Photography by Cory Sorensen
A Handful of Abs-Blasting Toughies
There’s more to life and stomach-muscle workouts than sit-ups and crunches. Problem is, most men just do those two exercises for tightening their abdominals. There’s nothing wrong with that, but we recommend you add some other variations to hit the abs (and obliques) from different angles. These five maneuvers are tough, but will yield even better results when combined with your usual midsection training.
KICKOUTS
Begin face up on the floor, the upper and lower bodies aligned and supported by extended arms and bent legs. Proceed to kick the right leg out until straight. Pause, then return to starting position and next kick the left leg out.
Perform 10 alternating kickouts with each leg.
SEATED TWISTS
Sit on the floor with legs bent and hands behind head. Proceed to twist to the left, extending elbow to knee. Pause, then return to starting position and next twist to the right, again extending elbow to knee
Perform 10 alternating twists to each side.
SEATED LEG RAISE
Sit on the floor with legs apart and straight out, hands between them. Proceed to press back with hands and raise legs up, keeping knees slightly bent. Pause, then lower to starting position.
Perform 10 repetitions.
CRUNCH LEG RAISES
Lie on your back in a crunch position, with hands behind a raised head and legs raised and bent at 90-degree angles. Proceed to raise the lower right leg until the leg is almost straight. Pause, then lower and raise the lower left leg.
Perform 10 alternating raises with each leg.
OBLIQUES
Lying Side Crunches
Lie on your right side with the left hand on the side of the head and legs slightly raised, left over right. Proceed to raise the head and right shoulder off the ground. Pause, then return to starting position.
Perform 25 repetitions, then switch arm
and leg positions for another set.