Whether you're looking to impress people on the beach with your smoking hot six-pack or you just want to fit better into your little black dress, an at-home ab workout routine is essential for building your stomach muscles. Best of all, an at-home routine requires no equipment and can be done at your convenience without having to hop in the car to head to the gym.
Side Bridge
It may look complicated, but the side bridge exercise is easy to perform and will have your abs burning in no time. Start by getting into the side plank position by placing your right forearm on the floor. Rest the side of your right foot on the floor and straighten your body so you face to the side, with your hip resting on the floor. Slowly lift your hip off the floor and place your left hand on your hip. Push your hip toward the ceiling as far as it will go, using your abdominal muscles. Perform 10 to 12 repetitions, then switch sides and do the same exercise with the positions reversed. Do three sets of 10 to 12 repetitions for each side.
Flying Side Crunch
The flying side crunch will work out your abs, but also comes with the added benefit of strengthening your butt muscles at the same time to give you an overall sleek look. Stand with your feet less than shoulder-width apart and extend your arms out to your sides. Bend forward at the waist so your back forms a 45-degree angle with the floor. Slowly lift your left leg off the floor. Raise your leg to the side as high as you can, using your abdominal muscles. Hold this position for five seconds, then lower your leg and repeat with your right leg. Do 10 to 12 repetitions for each side, then stand up and relax. Do three or four sets of 10 to 12 repetitions for each side, stopping to rest between each set.
Windshield Wiper
The windshield wiper exercise uses the weight of your legs to work out your ab muscles effectively. Lie on the ground on your back and extend your legs out in front of you. Extend your arms out to your sides for leverage. Lift your legs off the ground, keeping them together, and point them straight up in the air. Slowly rotate your lower body, moving your feet to your right toward the ground as far as you can. Quickly but without jerking your lower body, reverse the movement and move your feet as far to the left as possible, mimicking the movement of a windshield wiper. Perform 10 to 12 full revolutions of the windshield wiper with your legs, then rest and repeat two or three more sets.
Jack-knife Situp
Lie on the floor on your back with your hands at your sides and your legs extended and together. Slowly lift your arms off the ground while at the same time sitting up with your upper body. At the same time, lift your legs off the ground and bend your knees so your lower legs are parallel to the ground. Pull your knees toward your stomach until they touch your upper body. Lie back down for one repetition. Perform 20 to 25 repetitions, then rest and complete two or three more sets.
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