Abdominal workouts can be difficult and irritating. Because of that, hundreds of different machines have been created that are designed to make ab workouts easier, so that you can complete with them without the aches and pains that generally make most individuals quit before they have a chance to see any real results.

Some of the ab equipment is very effective. Others are considerably less so. But all of them require a financial investment that many individuals are unwilling to make for the reasons mentioned earlier, where they assume that they will quit the workout anyway due to uncomfortable aches, thus making the machines not worth though money.

Abdominal Workouts Without Machines

Luckily, you do not need machines in order to get a good abdominal workout. All you need is patience and the willingness to last through many of the initial bothersome feelings in order to ensure that you receive visible results that will prove to you that these workouts are worth the time you spend every day performing them.

The Most Effective Ab Workout

The most effective abdominal workout without a machine is known as the bicycle crunch. In fact, it is actually considered the most effective abdominal workout, period; abdominal workout machine or otherwise.

The bicycle crunch is very similar to the standard crunch except it requires extra movement. At the same time, you do not have to move very high with your back, so there is a good chance that you will be able to avoid some of the back pain that causes people to quit the exercise.

To perform the bicycle crunch, you want to start by laying down on your back, your arms clasped behind your head and your elbows out. Also, before you begin, keep your feet planted on the floor.

When you are ready to begin, lift your legs into the air and start slowly pedaling like you would a bicycle. One leg should be straight out while the other bends with your knee coming towards you.

As you continue to pedal, use your abdomen to lift your body and try to touch your elbows to the opposite knee. So, for example, when your left knee is bending towards you, try to touch it with your right elbow. Switch with the other knee.

You do not need to have your elbow physically touch your knee. You just need to use your abdomen to try to bend your body in that direction.

Other Ab Workouts

There are two other effective abdominal workouts without machines. One is known as the "Reverse Crunch". To perform the reverse crunch, start your body the same way you did with the bicycle crunch, but keep your arms lying on the ground towards your feet. Then try to lift your knees to your chest with your back remaining still on the ground.

Another fun workout is known as the "Plank Exercise". It is especially useful for those that are not fond of crunches or have no comfortable place to lay down.

To do the plank exercise, lay down against the ground on your stomach side. Lay your forearms against the ground and push yourself up, with the entire rest of your body in the air with the exception of your feet, which should be balanced on your toes. All you need to do is hold this position for 10 or 20 seconds, and then repeat.

As you can see, there are a number of advanced abdominal workouts without machines that are still very effective at improving your ab muscles and giving you the look and tone you are looking for. While machines may still be useful in a variety of circumstances, you can always invest in one once you have proved to yourself that you have the will and desire necessary to stick with your workout.