Some of the Most Effective Ab Workouts for Women

It's unfortunate, but as women get older, they often begin to accumulate excess weight around the lower part of the body. It's common for weight gain to settle on the thighs, hips and the belly. It's difficult to lose fat in these areas, with belly fat being the hardest to lose. While ab workouts for women can help, it's often not enough. These workouts will tone the abs, but if there is too much fat in the area, the toned abs will not show. To remedy this, combine the following ab workouts for women with a healthy eating plan that will help you lose excess weight.

There are many reasons that women want to lose weight and flatten their abs. Some of the most common reasons are as follows:

• Improve overall health
• Post partum recovery
• Upcoming events

No matter why you want to flatten your stomach, the following ab workouts for women can help you reach your goals.

Exercise Ball Crunch

This workout uses an exercise ball to support your body during the workout. Lie on the ball, carefully positioning it under the lower back. The feet are placed flat on the floor, shoulder width apart. Cross your arms either behind your head or over your chest. Next, contract the abs, lifting your torso upward, off the ball, then lower yourself back down onto the ball. Repeat this movement 12 times, completing 1-3 sets.

Plank on Elbows and Toes

This is one of the most effective ab workouts for women when done properly. Lie face down on the floor, with your weight resting on the forearms. Push your body from the floor using your arms and toes, resting your full weight on the elbows. You body should be kept perfectly straight, resembling a plank of wood. Make sure your back is not arched and your but is not up in the air. The position should be held for 20-60 seconds before lowering to the original position. Do 3-5 reps.

Vertical Leg Crunch

Lay on the floor, flat on your back, ankles crossed and legs extended straight up, toward the ceiling. You can place your hands either flat on the floor or behind your head. The abs are then contracted, shoulders lifting from the floor, legs holding the original position, before lowering the legs. Complete 1-3 sets of 12 reps.

Reverse Crunch

This workout starts with you lying on the floor, hands behind your head or beside you on the floor. Bend the knees, bringing them to your chest, creating a 90 degree angle. Your feet can be crossed if desired. Contract the abs, lifting the hips from the floor. At the same time, reach the legs upward, toward the ceiling. Complete 1-3 sets of 12 reps.

These are just a few of the ab workouts for women that can help your reach your goal of having flat, toned abs. There are a number of online resources that can be used to learn the proper form for each of these workouts. With a little bit of effort and a reasonable diet plan, you can reach your goals.

Matthew Mitchell is the owner of Flatten Belly Secrets and has discovered proven methods to reducing and eliminating Belly Bulge. He is an expert author on Ab Workouts for Women [http://www.flattenbellysecrets.com/six-effective-ab-workouts-for-women]. For more free information on how to Flatten Belly [http://www.flattenbellysecrets.com], please visit our website.

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