| Let's be real here, have you seen those promises of | | | | The first exercise in this routine is called "The Plank". |
| "10 minute workouts?" You know, the ones designed | | | | It's a fantastic strength, balance, and ab shrinking |
| to strain your neck in hopes to bring in your gut. Do | | | | exercise that works the entire core. |
| they really work? They probably do, IF you are willing | | | | Go down on your hands and knees, and then extend |
| to go through the agony to do it. And honestly, they | | | | your body in a "push up" position. Keep your stomach |
| do not work as fast as they should. | | | | in to your back as much as possible, your entire body |
| The problem is that most people, real people, after | | | | straight, and hold for 1 minute (or as long as you |
| the first couple of days, quit because results are not | | | | can). |
| instant, and they don't feel the benefit, just the | | | | This trains your entire inner abdominal wall to stay in. |
| soreness. This presents a major issue for those who | | | | This also helps with balance and posture. Make sure |
| really, and genuinely want to lose belly fat and flatten | | | | you're keeping your body straight, and breathe! |
| the abs. | | | | An alternate method to this workout is going on your |
| Having sought out some of the greatest ab | | | | elbows instead of your hands. It doesn't make it any |
| workouts of all time, nearly all of them leave a | | | | easier on the abs, but it reduces some of the strain |
| person devastatingly discouraged. There is not a | | | | on the shoulders. |
| single crunch, leg raise, or sit up that anatomically pulls | | | | The Side-Bridge |
| in the stomach, and gives instantaneous results. It's | | | | Much like the plank, this exercise is done with the |
| almost as if they are mocking the efforts of those | | | | body at an angle. Only this time, you're on your side. |
| of us who have the desire to slim down. | | | | This is a great all-round ab exercise that focuses |
| So instead of skimming off the top of the "most | | | | mainly on the external and internal obliques. |
| popular" I dedicated myself to research, trial and | | | | Lay on your side. Placing your elbow below the |
| error to find the best abdominal exercise that blasted | | | | shoulder. As if you're trying to stay directly to your |
| immediate results. I found it. Although the exercises | | | | side. Keeping your feet one on top of the other, lift |
| have been around for a while, most people don't | | | | your hip off of the ground, with your entire body |
| know about them, and are missing out on one of the | | | | rigid at an angle. |
| best ab routines available. | | | | Place your other hand on your hip. You should be |
| In Only 5 Minutes a Day: | | | | perfectly straight, one foot on the ground, and your |
| Doing this routine only takes an easy 5 minutes out | | | | elbow on the ground. Hold this position for one |
| of your day. Depending upon your schedule, you can | | | | minute, or as long as you can. |
| do it directly in the morning, right after you wake up, | | | | You can also do this with your arm straight, the palm |
| or right before bed, so that your abs recover while | | | | of your hand on the ground, but this is more difficult |
| you sleep. | | | | and should probably be worked up to. |
| Abdominal Muscles, since they are smaller than most | | | | Stomach Vacuum |
| other muscles in the body, don't need as much | | | | This exercise is one of the best for slimming down |
| recovery time. Maybe, at max, 24 hours. So doing | | | | the waistline, as well as flattening the stomach. It |
| this routine every day, at the same time, is not going | | | | works a majority of the internal abdominal sections, |
| to do damage. However, the first couple of days, | | | | so the organs are placed in their proper areas, as well |
| you may be too sore (sorry, but you probably will | | | | as flattening the rectus abdominus |
| be) to do a second day in a row. If this is the case, | | | | You can do this exercise standing, sitting, or lying on |
| that's ok, but kee trying and eventually work up to | | | | your stomach. But for now, I'll have you standing. |
| every day. | | | | Place your hands on your hips, and blow all the air out |
| What are the exercises? | | | | of your lungs. Expand your chest, and bring in your |
| The exercises in this 5 minute routine are a series of | | | | stomach as much as you can, and hold for as long as |
| static contracted holds. Since the abdominals are | | | | you can. |
| suppose to be contracted the majority of the time | | | | You're trying to touch your belly button to your |
| to help with posture, breathing, organ placement, and | | | | spine. Work your way up to a minute. |
| balance, static hold exercises actually mimic the abs' | | | | And there you have it! My 5 minute workout! You |
| natural placement. | | | | may be thinking to yourself "That was less that 5 |
| The plank, side-bridges, and stomach vacuum are the | | | | minutes" but I am incorporating the amount of rest |
| only abdominal exercises in this routine, and all of | | | | you will need in between each exercise. |
| them deliver almost instant results. If you don't see, | | | | To benefit even greater, try working up to where |
| or feel it after the first workout, you will the second. | | | | you can repeat the process (making it a 10 minute |
| So Let's Get Started: | | | | workout), and you'll definitely see results. Good luck! |
| The Plank | | | | |