Do you work your Abs?
The abdominal muscles for many people are one area, which can be neglected. Today you can find articles on how to get great abs without doing any sit-ups. The truth is you can do all the sit-ups in the world and not see your abdominal muscles. You still have to watch how you eat and your calorie intake.
Regardless, all athletes must work their abdominal muscles. As a martial arts practitioner it is imperative. It is vital for our physical performance. Below is a list of exercises I like to do. With the stomach it is hard to come up with a set number of reps. I feel you should do enough reps that you feel the burn. Maybe even break a sweat! If you don’t than you aren’t pushing yourself hard enough.
- Crunches. I love crunches. I would say do at least 50 reps to 100 reps.
- Bicycle kicks. Love this exercise. Try changing the pace. Start off slow and speed up at the end. Once again try to do at least 50 reps.
- Knee to Leg Raises. this exercise I named myself. I never knew the name so I made one up. This will be shown below. This exercise I love for the lower abdominals. Do this exercise till you can really feel your abs burn.
- Jack Knives. What can I say? They work for me and kill my oblique muscles every time.
- One-leg pushups. Yes this is good for your abs. It helps work your transverse abdominals. What you do is keep one leg on the floor and raise the other until parallel to the floor. Now keep the leg up for the entire set. Do at least 12 reps. When done with the set switch legs putting your opposite leg in the air.
Knee To Leg Raise
* For more exercises please visit our Archives section.
