Ladies it's indeed that time yet again: Bikini Season. Most of us have a love/hate relationship with this particular time of year. It's a time when we get the chance to show off our sexy body; yet are often forced to second-guess how we look and wonder if those abdominal muscles are looking as tight as they could be. Look below for five killer stomach exercises for women, that will cinch up your six pack to do you proud at the beach this season.
1. Bicycle Crunches -- this is probably one of the best stomach exercises for women as it burns up your abs like few other exercises really can. You lie on your back, placing your hands behind your head just like you do when you do a regular crunch: Raise up to do a crunch and twist to the left or right touching the opposite elbow to the opposite knee (right to left -- left to right). Continue alternating back and forth until you can't do anymore. Many recent studies have shown this to be the most hardcore movements for the abs.
2. Regular Crunches -- pretty straight-forward with this one. Lie on your back and raise your upper torso, while contracting your abs. Repeat until failure.
3. Hanging Leg Raises -- regular crunches coupled with hanging leg raises are the perfect combination of stomach exercises for women who are just getting started. These two movements will help prepare you for more intense exercises like the bicycle crunches. Hang from a chin-up bar and raise your legs to contract your abs. This is primarily a lower ab movement.
4. Oblique Twists -- there are machines in most gyms for this movement, but stick to the old-fashioned way first. Grab a broom handle or something similar and put it across your shoulders with hands gripped on both ends of the broom handle. Gently twist from side-to-side contracting your obliques (side muscles).
5. Vacuum -- this is a movement that helps shrink your waistline and is a staple stomach exercises for women and men alike. Sit straight, with perfect posture, then exhale from deep within your stomach. Make sure you breathe out every last bit of air you can. If you do, your stomach will be completely flexed and in a sense almost touching your spine (not literally, but it's a feeling you'll know when you're doing it).
1. Bicycle Crunches -- this is probably one of the best stomach exercises for women as it burns up your abs like few other exercises really can. You lie on your back, placing your hands behind your head just like you do when you do a regular crunch: Raise up to do a crunch and twist to the left or right touching the opposite elbow to the opposite knee (right to left -- left to right). Continue alternating back and forth until you can't do anymore. Many recent studies have shown this to be the most hardcore movements for the abs.
2. Regular Crunches -- pretty straight-forward with this one. Lie on your back and raise your upper torso, while contracting your abs. Repeat until failure.
3. Hanging Leg Raises -- regular crunches coupled with hanging leg raises are the perfect combination of stomach exercises for women who are just getting started. These two movements will help prepare you for more intense exercises like the bicycle crunches. Hang from a chin-up bar and raise your legs to contract your abs. This is primarily a lower ab movement.
4. Oblique Twists -- there are machines in most gyms for this movement, but stick to the old-fashioned way first. Grab a broom handle or something similar and put it across your shoulders with hands gripped on both ends of the broom handle. Gently twist from side-to-side contracting your obliques (side muscles).
5. Vacuum -- this is a movement that helps shrink your waistline and is a staple stomach exercises for women and men alike. Sit straight, with perfect posture, then exhale from deep within your stomach. Make sure you breathe out every last bit of air you can. If you do, your stomach will be completely flexed and in a sense almost touching your spine (not literally, but it's a feeling you'll know when you're doing it).
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