Many of you must be thinking that in order to work your abs, you need to do typical specific abs exercises like crunches or crunches etc. These abdominal exercises are good for working the abdominal area. However, there are actually some exercises that can benefit your abs more than your typical ab exercises.

I’m going to show you three of the best exercises that can indirectly work your abs and at the same time work your entire body, which increases your metabolism. You’ll notice that these three exercises I’m going to show you don’t include any specific ab workouts that directly target your abs.

The three best indirect abdominal exercises are as follows:

1) Dumbbell Row with Pushups

The starting position requires you to hold two dumbbells in your hand and come into a pushup position. Stabilize the starting position with both hands on the dumbbell and keep your back straight. Then, while holding the dumbbell, lift the left dumbbell toward your body, using your other hand to stabilize the action. Then slowly lower the dumbbell to the floor and repeat with the other hand. When you’re reading this, you’ll be thinking about where the abs work, right? Well, you will be working on your abs when you are stabilizing your action. You will definitely feel your abs kick in with this workout.

2) Barbell Front Squats

The starting position will be similar to back squats. First, place the bar in front of your shoulder and stabilize it. Then slowly cross your arms and grab the bar by placing your hands on the bar itself. Your elbow should be facing forward instead of down. The starting position can be difficult at first, but once you get used to it, it will be a breeze. Then slowly while stabilizing the bar, focus on lowering your butt while keeping your knees bent. Then slowly rise up to the starting position. Although this exercise is training the leg muscles, you will feel like you are actually using a lot of stabilizing force from your abs as well.

3) Leg Mix

This is similar to some break-dancing move you’ve seen elsewhere. First, go into pushup position, and then move your left foot in so that your knees are under your chest area. Then, switch back to the push-up position. Repeat with another leg. To go further, you can do one or two pushups on each rep to make it more challenging. You will find that your abs will soar after this workout.

For the best effect, you should do a minimum of 3 sets of 10 reps per workout. Rest time between sets should not exceed 30 seconds.

These are 3 of the best abs exercises that indirectly help build your abs and also give you a total body workout. Give it a try and I am sure you will feel the effect.