Full body exercises like squats and deadlifts can activate the abs as much as more
direct ab exercises like side planks.13 You'll also get a fair amount of ab activation from most compound movements like chin - ups, overhead press, and bench press (if you do it right).
Some direct ab exercises won't hurt, but focus on your diet above all else.
Doing only
direct ab exercises will not guarantee you a flat belly, if you do n`t burn off that fat it can make your belly look larger as you will be strengthening the muscles under the fat.
The direct ab exercises I usually do include crunches / sit ups and leg raises an I usually do them after my deadlift or squat session.
This will give you one of the best ab workouts you've ever had without even doing
any direct ab exercises.
I'm going to show you an example today of one of my favorite ab workouts that doesn't include
any direct ab exercises at all.
But the fact is that
direct abs exercises should only be a small portion of your workout routines.
Not exact matches
Rather than target your
abs with lots of
direct exercises such as sit ups, you are better off trying to develop all of your muscles by performing regular strength training.
Probably the best way to train your
abs is not by
direct ab work, but rather through execution of complex
exercises.
One of the biggest misconceptions when trying to get a six pack is that in order to lose the weight on top of your
abs you need to do
direct core
exercises.
Power cleans, core /
ab drills, sled dragging, some kettlebell drills,
direct arm and calf
exercises, and get ups are just a few examples.
Written By: Sam Winston Programming core strength is traditionally
directed to a list of
ab exercises performed at the end of lifting sessions.
Also, you may notice that there's no
direct ab work in this workout, that's because your
abs are getting a very good workout with all the compound
exercises.