MIDSECTION WORKOUTS

3 Regimens for a Stomach of Steel

ALL ABS, ALL THE TIME. That’s the mindset if you want to develop supreme stomach muscles. But you need to put words into action. Here are three routines to chisel your best abs ever. The first and last sessions are to be performed daily at your place. The middle drills require weights, but you don’t have to go to a gym for them. A broomstick can substitute for a barbell, and any heavy objects will mimic dumbbells. This session should be performed every other day. If you can summon the discipline to maintain this pace for a few weeks you’ll see great results. And it’s not even hard. Each workout takes only 10 minutes or so, and you can watch TV for the early and late sets. Add in some aerobic sweat sessions a few times a week, eat right and you’ll tighten and define your middle. Count on it!

 

WORKOUT ONE

WORKOUT TWO

WORKOUT THREE

 

ABS & OBLIQUES

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and hands behind head
1. Proceed to bend and raise the left knee, lowering and extending the right elbow toward it
2. Return to starting position
3. then bend the upper body to the left
4. Pause, return to starting position
5. and twist to the left, keeping the lower body stationary
6. Pause, then return to starting position. For the next multi-rep, bend and raise the right knee, lowering and extending the left elbow toward it, bend to the right and twist to the right. Continue alternating for each rep.

Perform 20 6-way repetitions.

ABDOMINALS

Progressive Single-Leg Raises
Lie on your back with hands behind head, legs bent and feet flat

1. Proceed to raise the upper body until almost but not quite perpendicular to the floor.
2. Pause, then lower the back to the floor, keeping the head up.
3. Then sit up fully, extending elbows to knees.
4. Pause, then lower to starting position. If necessary, secure your feet under a sofa for support.

Perform 20 4-way repetitions.

ABDOMINALS

Progressive Sit-Ups
Lie on your back with hands behind head, legs bent and feet flat

1. Proceed to raise the upper body until almost but not quite perpendicular to the floor
2. Pause, then lower the back to the floor, keeping the head up
3. Then sit up fully, extending elbows to knees
4. Pause, then lower to starting position. If necessary, secure your feet under a sofa for support.

Perform 20 4-way repetitions.

ABDOMINALS

Single-Leg Raises
Lie on your back with hands behind a slightly raised head, the left leg bent, foot flat on the ground, and the right leg extended out. Proceed to raise the right leg until perpendicular to the body. Pause, then lower to starting position.

Perform 12 repetitions with each leg.