Adding Resistance to Abs Exercises

Adding Resistance To Abs Exercises Using Dumbbells Cables And Weights

To get more from your workout or exercise regime, it is very vital to add resistance to the same. With added resistance you would be able to challenge your core muscle and make them work harder. You can further increase your exercise strength and break plateaus.

One can add resistance to abs exercises using dumbbells, cables and weights.

Adding resistance to abs exercises using dumbbells, cables and weights

Adding resistance using dumbbells

Dumbbells work to add resistance to the upper part of the body. You can add significant amount of challenge to your ab exercises with the use of dumbells. The heavier the dumbbells the stronger your ab muscles would be.

Dumbbell exercises for abs

Standing side bends for the obliques: For this exercise you would have to stand with your feet together, holding a dumbell in one hand. You opposite hand should be placed behind your head.

Begin to lower the dumbells using your side ab muscles towards the floor. Hold the position for a second, while doing so you should feel a slight stretch.

Dumbbell crunches on an exercise ball: Assume the sitting position on the exercise ball. Keep your knees slightly bent and lie on your back. You feet should be flat. Grip the dumbbell across your chest.

Breathe out and curl your body forward lifting your shoulders off the ball. Hold the position for a second and return to original position.

Adding resistance using cables

You can use cables in any direction you feel comfortable or choose. Using cables you can tone up your core muscles as well as your abs.

Cable exercises for abs

Simple cable crunches: For this exercise you have to attach a rope to a high pulley. Hold ends of the rope in each hand and kneel down in front of the pulley. Place your hands at the sides of your head. Curl your body forward, which should bring your shoulders in the direction of your knees. The movement should be reversed in order to bring your body back up.

Weighted cable ball crunch: Begin by leaning backwards on the ball while holding on to a cable. Allow your body to remain firmly planted on the floor for support and raise the weight and form a crunch. Try using only your abs to perform the crunch.

Adding resistance using weights

Performing ab exercises using weights adds the required strength for the exercises. You can increase the challenge on your ab muscles and derive more from your workout.

Added weight exercises for abs

Weights such as ankle weights can be wrapped around the ankles while doing ab exercises such as crunches, sit-ups, decline sit ups and straight leg sit ups. Using weights you can also perform knee and leg raises.

While using weights start with light weights and then progress towards using heavier weights. Begin with at least 6 to 12 repetitions per set which would aid for quality muscle development.

By adding resistance to your ab exercises, you are not only challenging your abs to work harder, you are also challenging your abs to work in innovative and new ways.






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