Looking back over the years, it’s almost amusing seeing all the gadgets and toys that were brought out to get 6 pack abs.  Do you remember that crazy electronic gadget you put on your stomach that makes your abs contract over and over?  I mean, c’mon… seriously?

But people fell for them.  People were looking for that “secret” to carve out the stomach and show off that lean midsection.  I’m glad I never got any of those silly things that don’t work.  However, I do question my birthday present when I was 6.  My older sister gave me a toaster and said it was a bath toy.  I never used it, but I don’t see how that would be fun.  That’s a whole new article.

I will say that there is one “gadget” that was unique at one point, but it has become more and more popular.  It’s the ab wheel.  When ab wheel rollouts are done right, you actually work your abs very well.  It’s one my favorite ab exercises, along with the cross-body mountain climbers.  It’s really no longer “unique”, because you see more and more of them in gyms, including hotel fitness centers.

Today, I do have some unusual ab exercises that you can put into your core program that will help you sculpt your abs.  They are a great way to add some variety to your ab exercises.  We all know that variety can lead to consistency, right?  But before I show you these exercises, you must promise me that you understand that nutrition is the biggest key to 6 pack abs.  If you agree, you can read on.  If not, you can go read some silly magazine promising you the best abs in the world with lots of cardio and crunches.  Here lies the truth.  I sound like a preacher, and that’s kinda awesome.

Why These Unique Ab Exercises are Effective

Crunches only work a small portion of your abs, and they also can put unnecessary strain on your neck and back.  For time invested, it’s not even close to being worth it.

In order to work your abs effectively, you must work the entire abdominal wall, as well as incorporate stabilization.  Hhhmmm, this is getting a little “sciency”.  Let’s go with this.  Do these unique ab exercises for a 6 pack and eat whole, natural foods.  The end.

Seriously, these unique exercises will carve out your 6 pack much better than sit-ups or crunches.  Enjoy…

The Ab Exercises

Alligator Crawl – Assume the close-grip pushup position.  Keeping your abs tight and embraced, as well as keeping your arms close to your sides, crawl like an alligator.  As you lift your left arm, you will lift your left foot and vice versa.  Some things are better with video:

=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zVNx5IO628

Decline Spiderman Pushups – The Spiderman pushup is pretty much a staple with my advanced clients.  They are a great way to work the core. But to make that move even harder, you can perform a decline Spiderman pushup.  Set yourself up as if you’re doing a decline pushup, with your feet on a medium platform or bench.  As you descend into the pushup position, bend your left leg, aiming your left knee towards your left hand.  Return to the starting position and do the same with your right side.  Again, seeing is believing:

=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxK_nv63QtQ

Stir-the-Pot – This is quickly becoming another one of my favorites.  Put your arms on the stability ball as if you’re going to perform a stability ball plank.  Maintaining a straight line with your body, “stir” the ball to the left and repeat with the other side.  It’s real important that you keep your abs embraced and don’t let your hips sag.

=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRgHuJhvA_8

Superman Pushup – The Superman pushup is when you perform a basic pushup, then extend one arm directly out in front of you, and then return to the starting position.  You then repeat that with the other arm.  You can watch the video below, but you have to promise not to laugh at the goofiness.

=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akEB7PTovjc

Burpee/Spiderman Pushup Combo – Let’s get a little crazy.  This is a total body ab exercise.  This is a fairly new one I’ve been experimenting with myself and one of my advanced clients.  It will help sculpt that 6 pack as well as rev up your metabolism.  Good times.  You perform a burpee, but once you drop down into the pushup position, you perform two Spiderman pushups rather than one basic pushup.  Who is sadistic enough to come up with that?

Mike Whitfield <= This guy.

See it here

=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evldbig1KKI

1-Arm Incline DB Chest Press – It’s not so unusual to do a 1-arm chest press, the unusual part is how hard it works your abs.  The idea is to lift heavy.  Try this dandy one with 6-8 reps.  Perform a 1-arm db incline chest press, with the arm that’s not working on your abs (so you can feel them getting shredded and working hard… duh).

=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dWp2U-7gag

Inchworm – Don’t let something that looks so simple fool you.  The inchworm can have your abs smoked within seconds. Bending over with your hands in front and on the floor, simply inch your way forward with your hands until you’re in a pushup position.  Then, bring your feet in while your hands are on the floor and you raise your body like an inchworm.  I’m not good at describing this, so here is another video:

=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBgNMUolYuA

So, there are some unusual, yet effective ab exercises that you can put into your 6 pack ab toolbox.  Ha – what a cool sentence that was.

Finish Strong,

Mike (Mikey) Whitfield

Certified Turbulence Trainer