Who doesn’t want to get 6 Pack Abs?  The key is to train your all your core muscles with a variation of exercises.  So how does your core strength measure up? Most people only focus on training abdominal muscles to get those elusive 6 pack abs however it really involves training your entire core.  This means knowing how to train your entire core from obliques to erectors! These five exercises below will drastically improve your overall core strength in nearly no time and hopefully put you on your way to getting 6 pack abs!

Nearly every trainer and gym goer does some form of core training that typically is just the abdominal muscles. However if you want to get 6 pack abs, its time to wake up and realize that your core is made up of much much more than just your abdominal muscles. Let’s learn about your core muscle groups before we continue:

Internal and external obliques – these two muscle groups run from your ribs to your hips.

Transverses abdominis – this muscle group is underneath your obliques and is a MAJOR part of your core.

Rectus abdominus – More commonly referred to as your ‘abs,’ this is the wall of muscle that runs from your chest bone to your pelvis.

Erector Spinae – This muscle group is located on your back and runs along the vertebral column.

In a nutshell, if you want great core strength, you must work more than your abdominal muscles. Follow the below core workout twice a week with at least two days rest in between sessions.

Begin with planks! You will be performing the kind where your feet will rest elevated on a bench for maximum results. Tuck your forearms under your chest and hold your body weight up for 60 seconds. Try to perform 3-4 sets.

Moving on to sit ups! You should be used to doing these, perform as many as you can for 60 seconds. Perform 3-4 sets.

Hyperextension is the next exercise that requires you to use the hyperextensions machine. Bend at the wait and keep your back straight and slowly lower your upper body down until its about 90 degrees to the floor. Slowly raise your upper body to the starting position and repeat for 12-15 reps for 3-4 sets.

Last but not least perform dumbbell side bends; this exercise targets your obliques. Grab a set of dumbbells and stand straight up with one dumbbell in each hand. Keep your feet planted firmly on the ground with a shoulder width stance. Keep your back straight and facing forward, bend down to the right as far as you can, then back up again. Without pausing at the top, bend down to the left. Repeat for 12-15 reps on each side and perform 3-4 sets.