What is the best ab workout to get you a flat stomach or a nice six pack? There are a number of factors that actually go into a good ab workout that really works.

Before we get into creating the best ab workout, I would like to stress that exercise alone will not help you get washboard abs. You seriously need to be taking a look at your diet and nutrition. If you do not have the right diet, your fitness plans are going to fail. You can read about how to lose belly here as well as learn about some of the best fat burning foods you can add to your diet here.

When to do your Best Ab Workout

Believe it or now, the timing of you ab workouts can actually make a difference in how much harder your abs have to work. If you have read or article on the best exercise for getting a flatter stomach, then you know that cardiovascular exercise such as walking, running, jumping rope, etc. is a very important part of burning fat from your body. The best ab workout will actually come after you do your cardio workout.

Why?

When you do cardio, you engage your abdominal muscles. If you perform you ab workout after a cardio workout, you abdominals must work harder to perform the exercise because you have already worn them out a bit. Therefore, your ab workout will be much better and much more effective than if you did it before you did cardio.

Best Ab Workout

The best exercises to use are exercise that engage more of you whole body. This way you are not only toning your abdominal muscles, but you are also working on your other muscle groups. Remember, your are going for a total body workout since you cannot burn fat from just one spot on your body.

Plank:

Plank is one of my favorite exercises to do. It works your abs, back, and stabilizers. You may not be able to do this exercise for long at first, but over time you will be able to hold this for at least a full minute.

Lying face down on a mat, push yourself up onto your forearms and tip toes. Your arms should be directly below your shoulders. Keep your back straight and focus on a point on the floor. Contract your muscles to keep your butt from sticking into the air.

Ideally, I do this 3 times for 1 minute with a 30 second break in between. You may only be able to do 10 or 20 seconds at first. That's perfectly fine. Just push yourself, have correct form, and you'll do fine.

V-ups:

When I first learned V-ups in college, I could barely do one. It was a sad state of affairs at first but over time I was able to do more and more. Do not be afraid to take breaks if you need them.

Lay flat on the floor. Keeping your legs straight, lift both your legs and upper body off the ground so that your body forms V. Repeat 25 times.

Like I said these are hard. You may have to start with your legs already off the ground and then just lift your torso. Start with whichever works best for you.

Oblique V-ups:

If you are going to have the best ab workout possible, you cannot ignore your obliques also known as your love handles. Many people ignore their obliques by focusing on the six pack muscle group. You want make that mistake with this exercise

Lie on your right side with legs at a 30 degree angle. Place your right hand in front of you for support, and place your left hand behind your head. Lift your legs and upper body off the ground and contract your obliques by bringing your elbow and knees together.

Make sure your legs and shoulder do not touch the ground. Your elbow and knee do not have to touch for you to feel this exercise. Repeat 25 times then switch sides.

Bicycles:

Bicycles were voted the number one ab exercise by the American Council on Exercise. Not only do they work your whole 6 pack region and obliques, you will get some work on your legs as well.

Lay on the floor and place your hands behind your head. Lift your head off the ground. Lift your legs and bend one while extending the other. Kick your legs like you are pedaling a bike, having your elbow touch the opposite knee as it comes into your body. Do this 25-50 times for each leg for a total of 50-100 times.

Core Twists:

I always save this exercise for last. If there is anything that burns your abdominal muscles it is this exercise. You are going to be working all your core muscle groups in this one. So take a break if you need it.

Sitting with your knees bent. Clasp your hands together, then, lift your knees off the ground. Twist side to side as quickly as you can tapping the ground on each side. 2 taps are a 1 count.

I try getting up to 40-50 reps, but if this is new for you, doing 20 may kill your abs. Just do your best. I have also done this exercise with a medicine ball in hand, turning from side to side.

High Knee Jumps:

High Knee Jumps are more of a legs exercise, but if done correctly they can get your abs to work in a completely different way. It's also great for cardio as well adding variety to you best ab workout.

Stand up with legs shoulder width apart, and jump as high as you can while ticking your knees up towards your chest. You can start with your arms above your head and shoot them straight down to get your arms involved in this as well.

Try to perform 10-20 jumps. Take a break and do it again.

If you are looking for a really intense workout, try out extreme 6 pack abs routine, or if you are short on time try out 15-minute core exercise routine the next time you are at the gym.