The 3 most effective ab workouts, according to experts

• According to a study done by the American Council on Exercise, there are three abdominal workouts that are most effective in achieving a strong core and washboard stomach muscles.
• Bicycle crunches use all of the abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominis — the front ab muscles that make up the visible six-pack.
• The captain’s chair stimulates both the abdominals and the obliques that line the sides of your abs. 
• Finally, crunches done on a medicine or balance ball will engage the rectus abdominis and, due to the balance they require, will engages smaller ab muscles, giving a well-rounded burn. 

Six-pack abs are impressive to look at, and often conjure up images of hours spent in the gym — however, obtaining a strong core is surprisingly easy, if you know how.

Visible abs are actually made in the kitchen — a diet leading to a low body fat percentage is the most important things — but there are various workouts that will successfully harden and transform your abdominals.

According to a study done by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), there are three abdominal workouts that are most effective in achieving a strong core and washboard stomach muscles.

The bicycle manoeuvre, or bicycle crunches

According to the ACE study, this is the most effective ab workout.

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For this position, you lie on your back on a yoga mat with your legs in the air and knees pulled towards your chest. Fingertips should be placed behind your ears.

To engage your core, contract your shoulder blades as you lift each side off the floor while straightening one leg and rotating your body. With each rotation, your elbow should reach towards your opposite leg.

The exercise uses all of the abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominis – the front ab muscles that make up the six-pack.

Captain’s chair

For this workout, some gym equipment is required — a captain’s chair or a seat-less chair with back and armrests.

To use the captain’s chair, let your legs dangle straight down before raising your knees towards your chest.

Engage your ab muscles by pulling them towards your spine, and then slowly lower your legs. Repeat.

This exercise stimulates both the abdominals and the obliques.  

Crunch on exercise ball

The third most-effective abdominal workout, crunches are often the first exercise people think of when they are targeting their abs.

However, crunches done on a medicine or balance ball will engage the core even more than a regular crunch.

To do this exercise, lie on a ball with your hands behind your head and carry out a typical crunch exercise of leaning back and using your core muscles to then bring you forward.

According to the researchers, although the exercise generated less activity in the obliques and abdominals, it targeted the location more precisely.

This exercise is especially effective because it also requires balance, which engages smaller ab muscles.

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The study, led by Phd Peter Francis at the Biomechanics Lab at San Diego State University, compared 13 popular abdominal exercises, some involving equipment, and ranked them from most to least effective.

The exercises were ranked by muscle stimulation in the rectus abdominis, the front ab muscles, and the obliques, the muscles extending from the sides of the abdominal wall.

In addition to making you appear “in shape,” abs are also important – as a strong abdominal wall is necessary to protect the spine and keep posture upright and straight.

If you have set out to achieve a six-pack, it will likely take you anywhere from three to 20 months, according to ACE.

However, make sure your diet is on par with your goals, as hours of hard work can be sabotaged by what you eat.