Ab Straps Exercises

Ab Straps Exercises
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Ab straps, as the name implies, are a piece of exercise equipment for the abdominal muscles. The straps are often used by trainees who have a difficult time holding onto an overhead bar and supporting their body weight during ab exercises. With the straps, the amount of grip strength required is reduced.

Ab Straps Bent-Leg Raise

The ab straps bent-leg raise works the abdominals and hip flexors. Attach the ab straps to an overhead fixed bar. Place a step or bench on the ground and stand on it so you are able to reach the level of the bar. Place your upper arms inside the ab straps and place your hands on the top part of the straps for support. Step off the bench or step so your body is hanging in the air with your legs extended. Lift your knees and raise them towards chest level while contracting your abdominals. Lower your knees back down to the start.

Ab Straps Bent-Leg Side Raise

Ab straps bent-leg side raises target the obliques, abdominals and hip flexors. Stand on the step, put your upper arms in the ab straps and put your hands on the top of the straps for support. Get off the step so your body is hanging in the air with your legs extended. Bend your knees and bring them up and to the right towards your right chest muscle. Then lower your knees down. Repeat the movement with the left side.

Ab Straps Straight-Leg Raise

This exercise is a variation of the ab straps bent-leg raise, as the legs are in the extended position. The movement is for the abdominals and hip flexors. Stand on the step or bench and place your upper arms inside the ab straps, with your hands holding the top part of the straps for support. Step off the bench or step so your body is hanging in the air with your legs extended. Bend your knees and lift your legs upwards until they are parallel to the floor. Make sure to keep your legs straight during the motion. Bring your legs back down to the beginning position.

Ab Straps Windshield Wiper

Ab straps windshield wipers hit the abdominals, obliques and hip flexors. Stand on the step and put your upper arms in the ab straps. Grab the top portion of the straps with your hands for support. Get off the step so your body is hanging in the air and your legs are extended down. Bend your knees and bring them up and to the right towards the right chest muscle. Lower your legs and extend them down on the right side. Bend your knees and bring them up and to the left towards the left chest muscle. Lower your legs and extend them down on the left side. Repeat the movement on the right side once again, followed by the left side for the desired amount of reps.

References

Article reviewed by Lisa Dittrich Last updated on: Jun 19, 2010

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