The Best Abs Exercise – Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers are an easy and great ab exercise to do to get a 6 pack.  They’re a lot more fun than the traditional crunches or sits up that you may be so used to doing.

Another reason why mountain climbers are a great ab exercise is because you aren’t just working out one area.  You are stimulating the whole body; which will help you burn more calories per workout session.  These are known as compound exercises; multi-joint movements that work several muscles at one time.

How to Perform the Mountain Climber

Put yourself into the push up position. Keep your hips down and bring one knee to your chest. Drop that leg back to the starting position and then begin to alternate sides. Perform this as many times as you can, as it can be quite challenging. This stimulates your core while targeting other muscle too.

You can also do a variation of the mountain climber by alternating your leg during the leg lift.  Take this slow at first as this variation works your core hard

Again get into the push-up position (arms straight), balls of your feet on the floor.  Brace your core and keep your body still.  Then slowly lift your right knee up towards your left arm, then back down to the starting position.  That’s one movement, your feet should only touch the floor in the starting position.  Then repeat with your left knee up to your right arm, and alternate legs with each rep.  Repeat these 5 times.  Progress by increasing repetitions and intensity.

Tips for Doing Mountain Climbers:

• Keep breathing steadily doing the exercise, try and get into a rhythm.
• Keep your upper body stable throughout.
• For the mountain climber variation, the alteration should come from your core and hips, not your shoulders.
• Focus on bracing your core and keeping your body balanced with a neutral back.
• For an extra challenge go really slow and hold your knee by your arm for 2 seconds before bringing it back down.

Most compound workouts will target your mid section, which means you may never have to do a sit up ever again!  Of course this is only one great ab exercise, you can click here to learn more about compound workouts and great ab exercises to get a 6 pack fast.

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Exercises for Abs

Here are some great exercises for abs.  For these exercises for abs to be effective, make sure you read and follow the instructions for each to ensure proper form and effectiveness.

• Modified Plank. This yoga pose is a great core strengthener—especially when you need a break from crunches.

To do the Modified Plank begin this exercise by lying on your stomach with your forearms on the floor pointing straight forward, your feet together and your spine in a neutral position. Your feet should be touching or no more than an inch apart.

Lift your body up on your forearms and toes, keeping your body as straight as possible. Maintain this position for as long as possible and challenge yourself to longer periods in the plank position. Try to hold the position for 60 seconds in the beginning, working your way up in 30 second jumps until you can hold the position for 3 minutes or longer.

Tip: Don’t let your hips/knees drop, your butt raise, or shift weight to one forearm.

• Crunches on a Ball. As boring as they may seem, studies show that crunches done on a stability ball are the most effective exercise for the abs.
• Seated Twist with Medicine Ball. You don’t have to hold a weight to feel this exercise, which also works the obliques.
• Reverse Crunch with Ball. No, it doesn’t target your “lower abs”, but this is a great variation to regular crunches. The ball adds challenge, but you can do this with just bent legs and no ball.
• Pilates. This gentle, yet effective, form of exercise focuses on strengthening the body from the center. It involves precision and concentration. With practice, individuals can expect better core strength, flatter abs, and a more balanced body.

Don’t forget to work your lower back!  Include at least one lower back exercise every time you work your abs as your muscles work together.  Strong abs help to prevent lower back pain, but so does a strong back.  Remember that when focusing on this muscle group, your abs should be burning, but not your back!  Don’t do any exercises that hurts your back in any way.  Pulling the abdominals in tight will offer greater support for the back during each of these exercises.

Here are our top picks for working out the lower back:

• Back Extensions. Simple and straightforward, you’ll feel the back working after just a few of these!
• Swimming. This Pilates exercise is a great for the entire core.
• Slow Swimming with Ball. This advanced move targets the whole core, as you use the abdominals to help you balance on the ball.

Easy Abdominal Exercises

Easy abdominal exercises that are also effective are the key to achieving a flat stomach.  You need to be strict when it comes to these; you should be exercising your abs until they hurt.  A post workout soreness should be on your abs after your abdominal workouts.

I have highlighted my top 3 easy abdominal exercises recommended by fitness model Jennifer Nicole Lee guaranteed to help you achieving those sexy washboard abs!  You will need a partner for the first two abdominal exercises.

The Ball Buster

The Ball Buster:  Lay your back on a yoga ball with your knees bent 90 degrees and your workout buddy holding your feel down.

Lean all the way back holding a small 5 pound weight behind your neck crunching up and actually curling your torso inwards towards your belly button and at the same time turning your pelvic muscles up.

The Pendulum

The Pendulum:  Lay on the floor while holding your workout partner’s ankles.

Bring your legs up and have your partner push them down to the floor and then snap your legs back up-the key is to use resistance when your legs are being pushed down.

The Hanging Knee Raises

The Hanging Knee Raises:  Hang in 2 arm slings with elbows bent and locked, and gently raise your knees into your chest.

Click here for more effective and easy abdominal exercises and workouts from fitness model Jennifer Nicole Lee.