5 Ab Exercises for Men to Build Incredible Abs

To get visible abs, a healthy diet is essential along with workouts (Image via Pexels @Anush Gorak)
To get visible abs, a healthy diet is essential along with workouts. (Image via Pexels @Anush Gorak)

The path to achieving visible abs is not an easy one as it demands a large amount of time and a degree of commitment that exceeds what is generally required for working on any other muscle group in your body.

People frequently consider abdominals to be their core, although this is not necessarily the case. The core is comprised of all the abdominal muscles responsible for functional strength and stability. However, abs typically refer to the superficial front muscles that make up the outer core.

When it comes to developing abs, the greatest fallacy is that it's all about abdominal workouts. The reality is that if you don't nail your nutrition, you will never get a low enough body fat percentage to see your muscles. The key to getting incredible abs is focusing on workouts that exercise your abdominal as well as oblique muscles and eating a nutritious diet that is loaded with protein and contains only the required amount of healthy fats.


Ab Exercises for Men to Build Incredible Abs

1. Slow Hanging Leg Raises

Slow hanging leg raises, which target the rectus abdominis, hip flexors, and external obliques, are an excellent introduction to abdominal exercises and isolation techniques.

To efficiently perform Slow Hanging Leg Raises:

  • Stand beneath a bar and grasp it with both your hands using an overhand grip.
  • While maintaining a straight back, inhale while contracting the abdominal muscles.
  • Raise your legs by flexing your knees. Do not exceed your waistline.
  • Breathe out as you lower your legs back to the starting position with a controlled motion.
  • Remember to maintain an engaged core.
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2. Bird Dog

This intricate exercise is an extension of a yoga stance that engages both sides of the body simultaneously. For this particular exercise, it is advisable to maintain a firm concentration on core activation while maintaining a modest elbow bend since you would not want to risk hyperextension.

To properly complete a Bird-Dog:

  • Beginning in a tabletop position with shoulders over wrists and hips over knees, invert your body.
  • Lift your right arm and left leg at the same time while engaging your core.
  • As you kick back, flex your foot and keep your palm facing toward your body.
  • At the peak of the stretch, pause for a moment while holding your arm and leg at the same height as your torso.
  • Return the two limbs to their initial position gradually.
  • Alternate between arms and legs.
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3. Hollow Extension-to-Cannonball

Hollow Extension-to-Cannonball is a wonderful addition to the top ab workouts for guys, although it is more difficult than it sounds. The key to performing this abdominal workout is contracting at both ends of the spectrum. Your neck and legs should remain off the ground for the entire set. You should also resist the urge to relax and drop.

To perform a Hollow Extension-to-Cannonball, here's what you should do:

  • Assume a position similar to a cannonball while hugging your knees to your chest.
  • Extend your legs and arms in a "hollow" position while pressing your lower back on the floor.
  • Hold for five seconds before curling up again, keeping your feet and neck raised.
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4. Hanging Windscreen Wipers

You may have seen men doing this workout at the gym and wondered what they were thinking, but it turns out that Hanging Windscreen Wipers is one of the most effective abdominal workouts for men. Using a common hanging movement, you must fight the urge to spin your body. Controlling your motions is essential to make this exercise a valuable addition to your finest ab exercises.

To successfully carry out Hanging Windscreen Wipers, you have to closely follow these steps:

  • Hang from an overhead bar while squeezing your lats and engaging your shoulders.
  • Compress your anterior core in order to raise your toes toward the bar.
  • Move your legs from side to side while maintaining oblique control, attempting to keep them together.
  • Try to avoid bending your knees or twisting your hips.
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5. Side Plank with Elevated Foot

You may have already performed a hardstyle plank to target your front abs, but it's now time to target your obliques. By transitioning to the side plank pose with elevated foot, you can stretch your oblique muscles, putting increased tension on a muscle group that is frequently underworked.

To correctly complete a Side Plank with Elevated Foot, check out these steps:

  • Maintaining your right foot on the ground, assume a side plank position placing your right forearm on the floor.
  • Contract your abdominals to strengthen your core.
  • Raise your left arm and foot from the ground.
  • Maintain this stance.
  • Alternate sides and repeat.
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Takeaway

Simply put, your abdominal muscles are among the most vital muscles in your body. This abdominal muscle group is responsible for supporting the trunk, allowing for movement, and holding organs in place by managing internal abdominal pressure.

Working out your abdominal muscles is absolutely essential. The fact that you can also get visible abs is an added advantage. The above-mentioned exercises, when performed regularly, can help you achieve this target, although you will have to vary and switch the exercise to keep your muscles properly challenged.

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