How about a little ab “dab” challenge? Three abdominal exercises that will definitely get the burn on!
Bicycle Crunch Exercise
Lie on your back on a carpet or mat with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Press your low back into 
the floor, engaging the abdominal muscles, put both hands behind your head (don’t pull on the head). Bring the left elbow over to the right knee, and then bring the right elbow over to the left knee in a twisting, bicycle-pedal motion. Breathe normal as you alternate opposite elbow to opposite knee with hands interlaced behind the head in a slow and controlled manner, with full extension of the legs on every repetition.
Ab Slide
This exercise can be very challenging, be cautious with your back. If sliding on the carpet use a couple of 
your child’s plastic plates, or books that will slide with ease. If on a hard surface a towel will work. The movement involves sliding your hands out forward while on your knees, using your abs and back to keep your body straight and then contracting them to pull back in.
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Reverse Crunch
Begin the exercise with the feet pointing towards the ceiling. Place your hands
under your bottom or on your sides as you lift the butt off the floor, contracting your abs, legs still pointing towards the ceiling. Return to the beginning position, repeat.
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Alternate between the three exercises, 4 times for one minute each. Modify if necessary.
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“We do not stop exercising because we grow old – we grow old because we stop exercising.”-Dr. Kenneth Cooper
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25 users commented in " Ab “Dabs” Challenge "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackJust back from my workout. Wish I had seen these first. Did 80 crunches on the exercise ball though. Thanks Mark!
These looke like stretch-mark torture…Awesome.
great challenge. I love that quote by Dr. Cooper too!
I can feel the BURN already, and will do this tomorrow AM. Another good one is on a smooth surface, get in a plank position and place towel under feet (so you can slide your feet along, move hands forward and pull body across the floor. It is called the “alligator”.
@Liz, Thanks Liz!
@KD, Ha! A good burn at least!
@Blake, I like that quote!
@Sara, Yes! Towel drags are awesome…love those. Thanks!
Good one, Mark! But, I don’t think I can do the Ab Slid. That look super hard, but I will try it.
This look like it could work. Thanks!
Abs exercises, my favourite! These look great:)
Love that quote! Never heard it before, but I love it.
I love ab exercises and already do a lot of bicycles and reverses, but the Ab Slide is new. Will definitely have to try it!
@Rosy,Oh sure you can! 🙂
@Vered, Thanks for your feedback!
@Sagan, Enjoy Sagan!
@Super Healthy Kids, It is a good quote!
@Anya, Give it a try…it is tough!
Yep, I need an ab workout. The ab slide is new to me – and doesn’t look easy!
And, yes, the quote is wonderful!
GREAT list of exercises.
I would only deter you from the first exercise simply because of the possible hyperflexion stress you can cause. For those that have a weaker core, they can have a tendency to ‘pull’ their head/neck towards their knees instead of the other way around.
As for the abslide, it is by far the oldest and greatest exercise out there. Ever try it using a bar with plate weights instead of the towel?
All great ways of shapin’-up your core.
Have a great day. GO OUT AND VOTE! 🙂
I could stand (or lie down) to do some ab work! The ab slide I’m not familiar with – I’ll have to give it a try!
is that you sliding?
squints at screen
Oh Mark, I always feel guilty reading your posts because you have such great information but I always think…my god, that looks painful/hard…ugh, would be great if you had an exercise for the less active more fearful and lazy people – like me! Any suggestions? Like a way to sneak in activity and movement without it being called “exercise”…without the word “crunch”…I’m such a woosy!
Now here is one that I can do! Thanks for the “gift” Mark! I think my martial arts background helped me with the core stuff before we knew what a “core” was 🙂
I’ve never heard of the ab slide…I’ll have to try it out!
Thanks.
@cathy, Thanks!
@Strong, Great addition. Thanks!
@Lance, Good luck Lance
@Miz,:)
@Donna, Of course modify by doing less times or doing planks is a good ab work out…I will send you an email. Thanks for your feedback
@Dr.J, I thought this would be one you liked!
@Diana, Give it a try!
great! That towel thing looks hard!
I gotta try these
Thanks Mark, I like the quote from Dr. Cooper also.
The bicycle crunch seems the easiest on my bad back. Neat post!
The bicycle crunch and reverse crunch are great abdominal exercises that really stimulate the abs! They are great to incorporate in any abdominal routine. 🙂
Okay, alright! I’ll get back to working my abs. Thanks for the inspiration!