Diet & Fitness 

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Killer ab routine

Sometimes we have to change our current exercise routine to get our muscles to respond favourably. If you've been doing the same ab moves for a while, it's time to modify them.

You can do some of these exercises on your own, a few require a medicine ball, and you’ll need a partner or a trainer for some of them. Misery loves company, so teaming up with someone to train your abs is a perfect solution.

Treat abdominals like any other muscle groups you train. In other words, don't spend thirty minutes doing just abs, and don't train your stomach muscles everyday. All muscle groups need at least one day's rest between workouts to allow repair and recovery.

Here are some suggestions:

• Lie on a bench. Reach over your head and hold onto the bench. Keeping your knees slightly bent, raise both legs in the air until your toes point to the ceiling. Raise and lower your hips, keeping your bottom from touching the bench on the way down.
• Sit on the floor with your knees bent and hold your arms out in front of you. Lean back until you're at a 45-degree angle to the floor. Lift your feet off the floor and extend your legs until they are straight, but low to the ground. Hold for up to 30 seconds and then repeat.
• Sit with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Cross your arms over your chest so that your hands rest on the opposite shoulders. Keep your back straight and lean backward. Gently twist from side to side without moving from the waist down.
• Lie on the floor with your knees bent. Raise your legs so that they form a 90- degree angle. Place your hands behind your head, keeping your elbows on the floor. Twisting from the waist, bring your right elbow towards your left knee, and at the same time, extend your right leg. Your left elbow should remain on the ground.
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