As more people trade their at-home workouts for a return to the gym, the question “How can I use more weights in my workouts?” has arisen. If you’re wondering how to use weights beyond the squat rack and dumbbell curls, you’re in the right place! We’ve collected some of the best weighted ab exercises and will explain them right here.
Weighted exercises are a great way to kick your workout up a notch by offering your muscles an increased challenge. You can add weights to almost any type of exercise, including arms, legs, back, and even abs. Here are three of the best weighted ab exercises:
- Sit-Ups
- Russian Twist
- Overhead Reach with Leg Lower
In the rest of this article, we’ll explain how to do each exercise in detail. For weights, you can use dumbbells, a medicine ball, or plates. Start light and work your way up to heavier weights as you gain strength. Let’s get started!
3 Best Weighted Ab Exercises
Sit-ups
To do a sit-up, start by laying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slip your feet under a piece of furniture, the bar of a heavy weight, or ask a friend to hold them. Now, hold your weight close to your chest with both hands.
Inhale, then exhale as you squeeze your abs and peel your back off the mat, starting with your head. Inhale as you sit tall, then exhale as you tuck your tailbone underneath yourself and roll back down through your spine. Do 5 to 15 reps.
Russian Twist
Start by sitting tall with your feet on the floor and knees bent, then lean back so your torso and thighs form a v-shape. You can do your Russian twists from this position, or make them more challenging by lifting your feet a few inches off the floor.
Now, pick up your weight and hold it close to your abs with both hands. Inhale, then exhale and twist your torso to the left, keeping the weight directly in front of your body. Inhale and return to the starting position. Repeat on the other side to complete your first rep. Do 5 to 15 reps.
Overhead Reach with Leg Lower
Begin by lying on your back with both knees bent and feet planted on the floor. Hold your weight between both hands and reach your arms toward the ceiling. Now, extend your right leg toward the ceiling as well. This is your starting position.
Inhale, then exhale and reach overhead to lower both arms toward the mat. At the same time, lower your right leg toward the mat. Inhale and bring your leg and both arms back to the starting position. Do 5 to 15 reps, then repeat on the other side.
We hope this article gives you some ways to take your ab workout to new levels. Remember, start small, be consistent, and you’ll see great results in no time.
