When you are trying to build six pack abs there are lots of different types of exercises that you can do which will help to burn your belly fat and uncover your six pack ab muscles. Some of the best ab exercises that you can do, which are also my favourite are hanging leg raises.
Today`s post I am going to show you 3 different types of hanging leg raises that you can start to include in your workouts.
Standard Front Hanging Leg Raises
Thes are the most basic type of leg raise that you can do but they are still a killer exercise for building your abs up and strengthening your core up at the same time. The great thing about these is that you can do them almost anywhere. If you have a workout park nearby and they have pull up bars then those are ideal. You can buy bars which you can use at home, these are also fine to use. If you workout at the gym more often then you can use the pull up bar, every gym should have some kind of pull up bar.
Start by hanging from the bar with your body and arms straight. All you do is left your legs up to your own waist height then back down to the starting position. This is one rep. Do a good number or reps (around 10 – 15 is a good number and then rest). If you can do more that is fine but your best to combine other exercises in your ab workouts as well so that you are not doing too many reps on 1 particular exercise.
Round The World Leg Raises
These are a little more advanced and will really work your abs and core. If you can`t do these exercises quite yet then don`t worry just keep doing other types of leg raises which are a bit easier until you build up your core and abs a bit more.
You start off in the same position as the standard leg raises. Hanging from your pull up bar keeping your legs straight you do a complete circle with your legs but making sure you do a nice wide circle. Once you have completed one circle this is then one rep. You MUST make sure you do good quality reps though, remember you are only cheating yourself.
If you struggle doing the round the world leg raises with keeping your legs straight then a slight bend in your legs is fine to start with. Also when you rotate your legs in the circle motion if you can`t go very wide when doing the motion, don`t worry, just as long as you are working hard and you progress towards doing better quality reps then it`s fine.
Windeshield/Windscreen Wipers
I have left these till last because they are the most difficult to perform. If you can do these then that is awesome because believe me most people will not be able to do them as they are very advanced and require some good ab strength and core balance.
The name of the exercise comes from the fact that you perform the exercise in the same way as windshield/windscreen wipers work which is side to side. I call them windscreen wipers as Im from the UK but if you are from the US then you probably call them windshield wipers.
Anyhow, you perform them by hanging from a pull up bar but starting with both legs straight on one side, level with your waist. With this exercise you do NOT lower your legs any lower than your waist when performing the exercise. Sounds difficult but that is why they are very advanced. You basically go from left to right in the form of windshield wipers keeping your legs as straight as you can at all time during the exercise.
These are just 3 ab exercises that you can start to include in your workouts when working your abs.
PS: I stongly advise against using any ab machine, ab gadget or gizmo that you may find laying around or ones that are in your gym. They restrict your movements too much and will not do anything for you, remember there are no shortcuts. You need proper workouts balanced with proper nutrition in order to build six pack abs and a lean body.
As if most infomercial exercise gadgets aren’t already ridiculous (and worthless) enough… this hilarious video below shows Ellen demonstrating just how ridiculous this particular infomercial exercise chair really is.
I have to admit that this really did crack me up…..
Ellen Demonstrates This Ridiculous Exercise Chair Below
I hope you laughed as much as I did! If you liked this, please Share it with your friends below:
