So we have all seen those wonderful people with washboard abs. You know, the ones you secretly envy, but have no idea how they can possibly look that good. You have tried all the latest machines and diet programs, but your abs would be considered more of a spare tire than a washboard.

Are you sick of those people at the gym who can do 500 sit ups without breaking a sweat? Well, there are solutions to your problem.

While we would all like to find that one miracle machine or exercise that flatten our tummies within days, the truth is it won\'t happen. No product or exercise provides complete tightening of those infamous ab muscles. You must choose an ab exercise program that works the three main areas of your abs.

You also need a workout program that includes various exercises and requirements. According to recent studies, the bicycle crunch and captain\'s chair exercise can provide two of the most effective workouts.

Some ab exercise programs will say that, completing your workout in a certain order provides better benefits. However, it has recently been stated that you will find better results if you change up the order in which you work your muscles. The human body can work against itself by adapting to the exercises.

If you complete the same crunches and sit-ups on a daily basis, your muscles adapt and you will get little result from your efforts. You should modify your ab exercise routine every few months to avoid the dreaded plateau. Try adding more weights or change the number of sets in your routine.

There is a wide variety of ab exercises to perform. Some of the top trainers suggest that there are thirteen main exercises that can provide the best results. The bicycle crunch, captain\'s chair, and crunches on an exercise ball, are the top three recommendations.

The bicycle crunch is an easy to do floor exercise, in which you lie down and simulate pedaling a bike, while bringing your knees to your elbows. This requires no extra equipment or tools. However, the captain\'s chair requires the ability to hang in the air and pull your knees up to a 90 degree angle.

This exercise has also been referred to as the hanging crunch. While the exercise ball will have to be purchased, there are a number of uses for this piece of equipment. The ball can provide an excellent core exercise.

When working with a ball, you can achieve a great workout doing crunches. Because the ball makes you keep your balance while completing the exercise, you get a more efficient work out.

The secret to great abs is simply to be diligent and stick with the program you choose. Results don\'t happen overnight but when they finally arrive you will find it was well worth the effort. Some people may start to see results in weeks while others may need months to see effects of their hard work.