Get your Obliques Working

Anyone who consistently works his/her abs muscles knows that you have to hit multiple muscle groups within that region and this cannot be achieved by doing just sit-ups. The sides of the abs (the obliques) are very crucial to getting that shape right and getting the strength you need in your ab region. Here are a couple of exercises to really help build those oblique muscles:

This exercise works the biceps and obliques and even gets a bit of leg in there:

This exercise focuses a lot on the obliques and the upper body as well:

Try both for 3 sets of 10 on each side.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Abs Work: Spider Planks!

I always get the questions about how to build abs, and so I write about abs exercises a lot. Remember that abs requires 3 things: A good diet, Lots of cardio, and Some strength training. Strength training is mostly the exercises that we all know (like planks and sit-ups) that help build the abs muscles. In order to build the muscles, you have to target all the different abs muscles.

The muscles we are focusing on today are the obliques (sides of the abs) and spider planks are great for the obliques. You start by doing a few sets of a few of them and build up as you grow stronger. Start with about 3 sets of 10 reps. Watch the video below for a demonstration of the exercise!

Cheers Eights & Weights!

10 Minute Abs Routine

Working on those abs? Try this 10-minute abs routine! There are 4 exercises. Do each for 30 seconds for a total of 2 minutes. Rest for 30 secs and repeat that 3 times (10 mins total). 

1. Pushups 
2. High planks 
3. Elbow planks 
4. Spider planks

Cheers Eights & Weights!

No Crunch December: Spider Plank

Today's routine looks pretty easy, but can actually be quite tough. I call it the "Spider Plank" but it's also known by many other names. This works your obliques.

How do you do it? Start in an upper plank position with your palms on the floor. Balance on your left toes and lift your right knee to meet your elbow. As you do this, slightly bend your elbow so you are leaning in. Do this on the other side as well. 

For a visual demonstration, check out the video below.

Cheers Eights & Weights!