Those wishing to craft perfect washboard abs might frequently ask themselves: What is the best ab exercise? The answer is not a simple one, as "abs" refers to different muscle groups. You aren't alone in hoping for the right gimmick or shortcut. In 2002, the Federal Trade Commission prosecuted several manufacturers of ab workout equipment for false or misleading claims. There are no shortcuts, but there are some exercises that work better than others.
Cardio
Cardio doesn't work the abs per se, but any quest for a six-pack midsection needs a strong component of cardiovascular exercise because you cannot spot-train for fat removal. You must work to reduce the amount of fat throughout your entire body. Maia Apple, writing for Bodybuilding.com, recommends plenty of running, cycling, swimming and aerobics to help you shed midsection fat. Cardiovascular sports such as tennis, racquetball and basketball also get your heart rate up to burn off fat.
Lower Abs
While it is hard to directly target one group of abdominal muscles because of their interconnectedness, some exercises work certain abdominal muscle groups better than others. The flutter kick is an excellent exercises for lower abs. In this exercise, you lie on your back and kick your legs as if you were swimming. Standard situps target the lower abs as well as the obliques. Raising your legs from the floor to a perpendicular position also targets the lower abs.
Upper Abs
The upper abs are the second important muscle group to work in a comprehensive abdominal program. The V-up, or "dying cockroach," works both the upper and lower abdominal muscles. This involves lying on your back with the arms extended above the head, then raising both the legs and the arms to meet one another halfway. Another method for working the upper abs has you raising your legs with knees bent to the chest while raising your shoulders up off the ground.
Obliques
The obliques are the muscles on the sides and back of your abdominal area. Hugo Rivera, writing for Bodybuilding.com, says working out the obliques often leads to a wider waistline and that they get worked out indirectly from squats, situps and deadlifts anyway. Still, some people choose to focus on this area. Ab exercises that target the obliques include side crunches, twisting crunches and dumbbell side bends. Keep your movements steady and even, particularly if you have previously existing back injuries.
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