3 Six Pack Exercises for Men Over 40
Abs have become a hallmark for men masculinity for a long time especially the 6-pack. It is the grail of fitness and it usually depicts a life of healthy living and discipline. In your 20s, you probably walked around the beach shirtless because you were confident of your toned abs.
But once you reach 40, you have a full-time job, family and life which can make it feel impossible to have a six pack. Contrary to what you believe, it is actually possible to have lean and strong abs even when you are 40. Here are the best exercise to help get the ultimate six-pack:
1. Side plank
The side plank is a variation of the popular plank exercise. Unlike the plank which focuses on your core, the side plank focuses on the obliques. These rub down the outer side of your abs.
Why are strong obliques important?
They are necessary for overall ab development and posture.
In doing a side place, your support your body weight on one of your forearms, with your shoulders in direct line with your elbow and your legs to the side, stack on top of each other.
In order for this exercise to be effective, your body must be in a straight line from head to toe.
2. Lying leg raises
This is one of the most effective ab exercises for men over 40 especially the lower abs. All you need to do is lie on a bench, floor or bed. Raise and lower your legs in a relatively straight motion.
It may sound so easy. But what is most important in order to reap the benefits of the exercise is to maintain proper form. The most important aspect of the leg raises is your pelvis.
Your pelvis should be really rolled under and upwards in order to truly engage the lower abs.
3. Ab-wheel rollout
It is always nice to play around with gym equipment to get perfectly toned muscles. In doing the ab-wheel rollout, you start in a tabletop position on your knees and then ‘roll’ the ab-wheel out in front of you.
The trick is to get the form right. Your ab muscles must be tensed the whole time and you should not allow your lower back to dip at the furthest point of your roll out.
It is very possible to have a six pack in your 40s. It makes you look really good and gives the impression that you are disciplined.