ALWAYS stretch & warm up. Abs are just like leg muscles or any other muscle in your body- you can hurt yourself if you don't warm up- I recommend a 5 minute warmup with dynamic stretching (see previous blogs for stretching info).
*This is the second of 3 ab workout routines that I'm going to share- check out the first one for more information about form- it's really important to train abs correctly or you can actually strengthen your midsection to stick out!
- Hold a forward plank (on elbows, back straight like you're doing a pushup) for 30 seconds. If you can't do a full 30 seconds, keep resetting until you've done a total of 30 seconds (as in, 5 seconds, back up add five more seconds, back up add eight seconds, whatever you need to do- however long it takes, get to 30.)
-50-100 crunches (alternate your leg style as explained in first blog)
-Left side plank 30 seconds
-2 x 25 bicycle crunches
-Right side plank 30 seconds
-2x20 side crunches
- 10 burpees
- 50 reverse crunches
- 2 x20 mason twists
-50-100 crunches
-30 scissor kicks
- 30 squats (put your hands out in front of you and focus on balancing, using a tight core to go straight down and straight back up without letting your knee come over your toes).
-- cool down and stretch.
--- It does NOT matter how fast you go through this. What does matter is form. Focus one getting the most out of each movement, holding your abdominals in tight and breathing (if you're engaging correctly you will be able to breath normally- see previous blog if this is confusing).
--- Don't give up. Doing some of this is better than not doing any of it- and you'll see if you keep it up that this will become easier until suddenly you're looking for the next challenge!
