You've tried everything to get rid of your belly. But crunch after crunch, you're still not seeing your abs. There are two major components to achieve sleek abs; one is diet and the other is exercise.
Before you start ab exercises you first need to clean up your diet. Create a slight calorie deficit while consuming a lot of protein, fibrous fruits and veggies, healthy fats, water and complex carbs. This is the first step to help you flatten your midsection.
More: 3 Moves to Sculpt a Solid Core
When it comes to ab training, you need to focus on compound exercises. Compound exercises are multi-joint movements that work various muscles or muscle groups at once. Crunches are easy; you simply lay on the floor and lift up (many people perform this exercise wrong, and injure themselves instead of strengthening the core). To really work your core and trim your stomach, you need to do challenging movements. Difficult exercises, like squats or push-ups, take you out of your comfort zone and utilize your whole body—this is the key to develop rock-hard abs.
Build a solid core and get defined abs with these five no-crunch moves.
More: Tone Up With These 5 Fast-Firming Moves
Kettlebell Renegade Rows
You may think that a row will only work your lat muscles, but the renegade works your whole body—especially the core. To do this correctly, first get in a push-up position with your hands on two kettlebell handles. From there row one bell to your side, while pressing down the other handle to stabilize yourself. Return the rowed bell to the ground and repeat on the other side.
Make sure your body is in a straight line. Don't lift your hips high in an "A" position and avoid sagging hips.
Do 6 to 8 reps. As you gain strength, try 12 to 15 reps on each side.
Kettlebell Front Squats
The front squat forces the abdominals to contract while doing a squat motion.
Hold the kettlebell in front of you (about chest level) with your wrists straight and elbows close to your body, this is called the rack position. Stand tall, make sure your feet are about hip-width apart and your upper body is straight. Now lower down like you're about to sit in a chair. Hold for a second and then lift your body back up to a standing position.
Start with a lighter weight. As you get stronger, go heavier—your core will work harder.
Do 6 to 8 reps. As you gain strength, try 12 to 15 reps.
