Many people like to be active by playing a sport they love or chasing their kids around the house, but when a person wants to work their ab muscles they tend to automatically think that doing sit-ups, or crunches are the way to go.  Sure, targeting the exact area will likely give the best results, but I’d much rather work my abs without “knowing” I am working my stomach.  Instead of torturing yourself with the same old ab routines you have been doing for year, try one of the 6 nontraditional ab workouts.

Pilates

Pilates is an excellent exercise for flattening the tummy. All of the movements of Pilates originate from the core, and each and every exercise strengthens and tones the core (the muscles of your abs, lower back and hip flexors). This results in a toned and a tight tummy. It also helps to increase your overall flexibility, which is never a bad thing!

Kick box aerobics / taebo

Kick-box aerobics (Taebo) is one of my favorite exercises. It strengthens the core (resulting in a flat tummy) and it is a high intensity exercise that will have you burn lots of calories and fat.

Hula hooping (My mom swore by this)

Just imagine what spinning a hula hoop around your middle will do for your abs – it will tone and strengthen your abs muscles, resulting in a flat tummy. Invest in a hula hoop and get a flat tummy the fun way!

Any sport (Poker doesn’t count)

Most sports use the core area to move, and will tone and flatten your abs as a result. Any sport that involves cardio will also help you to burn some calories, resulting in weight loss. In my opinion, the best sport to do is one that you enjoy doing, as that will greatly increase the probability of you continuing to do it.

Yoga

When you are stressed your body produces excess cortisol that in turn leads to your body storing excess fat on your tummy (bad news if you want flat abs). Yoga relaxes you, causes you to de-stress, and will help to combat the effect of stress. Not only will this help you get those flat abs you wanted, but it will also greatly increase your quality of live.

Weight training

Weight training is one of the best ways to burn lots of fat and calories, and will give you a leaner appearance as you start to build muscle.

These exercises will all help you to get a flat tummy in the nontraditional way. Just implement these exercises, together with a healthy eating plan and you will be on your way to a flat tummy.

On a side not you migh consider tensing your stomach while sitting and forcing good posture.  It isn’t exactly an exercise so I did not add it to the list but I thought it a worthy addition to the article nonetheless.

You may have heard about Pilates and that has probable left you curios, you may even have thought about whether you should take it u or not. Originally Pilates was invented by Joseph Pilates to rehabilitate war veterans. Today millions of people are practicing Pilates. You can also be one of them. To help you decide whether it is for you, I present to you 10 reasons why you should take up Pilates

1. Pilates Strengthens Your Core

The main benefit from practicing Pilates is specifically that it strengthens the core muscles (the muscles of the abs, hip flexors and lower back). A strong core will ensure that you have flat abs, and that you can play better sport and move around easier.

2. Makes you flexible

You will be super flexible from regular Pilates practice.

3. Lengthens your muscles

Pilates lengthens the muscles resulting in a longer and leaner look.

4. Increased energy

Your energy levels will be up and you will feel more alive

5. Faster metabolism

A faster metabolism is also part of the many benefits of Pilates. This will result in you burning more calories and fat in the poses.

6. Decreased fat percentage

Your fat percentage will also drop with regular Pilates practice

7. Increased lean muscle mass

Your lean muscle mass will also increase and you will develop sleek muscles

8. Decrease in stress and anxiety

Exercise like Pilates increases the production of feel good hormones resulting in reduced stress and anxiety

9. A defined and toned body.

Your whole body will become more toned and defined

10. Firms up your whole body

In particular the muscles that will mostly benefit are your glutes (buttocks), your abs and legs. Some of the Pilates classes and machines also tones and defines the upper body.

The reasons given are sure to have you wanting to do Pilates right away. There are a number of ways that you can practice Pilates – on your own with a DVD or book, attend a Pilates class or you can always buy yourself Pilates machines or equipment. You can even play a Pilates game on your Wii console, one like the Daisy Fuentes pilates workout game. The ellen croft’s supreme pilates machine is one of the best to try out. And you are sure to have an excellent workout.