Abdomen Workout With Dumbbells

Our abs can be the hardest place to work; they are just placed in such an inconvenient spot. Perhaps that is what makes beautiful bulging abs so appealing.

Common crunches can be extremely tiresome, and you could be to a point where no matter how many you do it just doesn't strain your abdomen enough to procure any development. This may be a sign that you should implement some new techniques into your work out ritual.

Well how you ask, the answer is simple: dumbbells. That's right you can use your dusty old dumbbells to start working your abs.

In fact dumbbells are widely misunderstood as a bicep work out; when really they are just a tool to perform any work out imaginable. If you don't have any dumbbells invest in some, they are cheap and well worth the money.

With all this hub-bub about new exercise machines things can get confusing. The fact of the matter all you need to build muscle is resistance against supposed muscle.

To get started with your new and improved abdominal work outs, while in a crouch position grab your dumbbells and hold them tightly to your chest. Now fulfill the action of a normal crunch.

With just a little weight you will see the impact is immense. When we do a sit up or crunch we are only lifting a small portion of our weight.

So even if you weigh one eighty your probably not lifting more than fifty pounds of weight. So if you can curl fifty pounds in each hand don't suppose that you can crunch fifty pounds in each hand, this may be damaging to your health.

Start small with just five pounds in each hand, either held together like a prayer position or crossed over resting on you bicep and shoulder as you sit up. Starting with a small amount of weight will allow you to gage your position properly.

It is always good to understand your limit, and be safe. Once you are comfortable with that maneuver you may try something a little trickier.

Weighted leg raise is a little more advanced; it is for those of you who are willing to take it to the next level. This routine will affect your lower abdomen and oblique's and should be only performed by competent, confident trainees.

Lay flat on a bench with your legs hanging over by the knees, hold the dumbbell in-between your feet and raise your legs. Once your legs get to about perpendicular with your body hold for a second and slowly let them back down.

Lastly a good warm up and cool down routine: the weighted side-bend. This is a low intensity work out good for men and women.

Hold one weight to one side of the body, and let it pull your body to the side, at a controlled rate of course. Now lift yourself back to standing position; this will target the outer abdomen.

Destry Masterson is a health, fitness and nutrition expert. She has written articles about exercise and recommends http://www.proform.com for information about exercise equipment. Contact Info: Destry Masterson - MyOnlineArticleWriting@gmail.com - Twitter: @DestryMasterson