The 5 best tummy excercises for beginners who want washboard flat abs

When trying to get rid of excess stomach fat, you need to combine exercise with a healthy diet. When going on a fast weight loss diet like the 1000 calorie a day diet, you need to know about the dangers and precautions you have to take. And when looking for tummy exercises to do, it is important to not only do the most effective exercises but also to do exercises that suit your fitness level. If you've been inactive for quite a while or if it's been a long time since you've trained your abs muscles, it is recommended that you do exercises that are suited for beginners. If you take on too complicated or advanced tummy exercises, you may increase your risk for injuries.

The next thing you have to remember when training your tummy is that your abs muscles are made up of four different parts that should be targeted equally and specifically. Your abs muscles are made up of the rectus abdominis (the six pack muscles), the internal and external obliques and the transverse abdominis. We are going to look at the 5 best tummy exercises specifically for beginners that target all those different muscle types.

The best tummy exercises for your rectus abdominis - for beginners

The rectus abdominis is the most important abs group to target if you want that six pack abs look. The following exercises are the best to target these muscles:

Traditional Crunch - This is probably the crunch you are most familiar with. Doing this crunch targets the upper abs the most.

Bent Knee Reversed Crunch- This crunch is best for targeting that hard to get firm lower abs. Here is how you do it: Lie on your back on an exercise mat with your knees bent in the air. Use your lower abs to lift your hips a few inches of the ground and hold for one count. Slowly return to starting position and repeat.

The best exercises for your internal and external obliques - for beginners

If you exercise your internal and external obliques regularly, your abs will get that vertical definition line. Doing oblique exercises is also a good way to help you get rid of your love handles. The best oblique exercise for beginners is the knee-to-arm-crunch.

Here is how you do it:

Lie on your back on an exercise mat, with your feet on the floor with your knees bent. Bend your right knee up in the air and place your right foot on your left knee cap, knee pointing outward. Slowly crunch up towards your right knee, lifting your left elbow towards your knee. Make sure to do the exercise in a slow and controlled manner and to bring you knee and your elbow in towards each other. And remember to repeat on the other side.

The best tummy exercises for your transverse abdominis - for beginners

It is important to keep your transverse abdomins strong, as they move with all your obliques. The best exercise for beginners is the basic plank exercise. This is how you do the exercise: Start by getting in the push up exercise position. Support yourself with your feet and either your elbows or your hands. Hold the position for as long as you can, tucking your abs in tightly. Release the position and repeat.

If you do these exercises regularly, you will tighten and tone your abs in the most effective way possible. Just remember that you will also have to include cardio, weight training and healthy eating in your plan to really start seeing results. At any time if you feel that you have mastered the beginner's exercises, you can move on to intermediate exercises. You might even think of purchasing a exercise machine, like the supreme pilates machine by Ellen Croft, to help you super charge your weight loss. But make sure that you are ready to take it to the next level. Just stay motivated, dedicated and never give up. If you do so, you will be seeing tight, sexy abs in the mirror soon.

For more information about exercises, check out About.com's exercise section

Disclaimer
As the contents of this article is my personal opinion and advice, no warranty is given to the accuracy, reliability or safety of the advice given. It is my aim to provide the best weight loss advice and help that I am able to provide. I am not a medical practitioner or any registered advice giver. I therefore advice that before you undertake a new weight loss plan (may it be diet, exercise or a combination of the two), that you consult with your doctor(s), to make sure that the program will be suited to you as an individual.