Ab workouts (also known core workouts) are one of the most crucial aspects of your training routines. When it comes to any kind of movement in the human body, you need to stabilize your center of gravity first before any motion can occur, that's where the core comes into play. It's key that you reinforce these stabilizer muscles before performing any kind of strengthening movements not only to prevent injury but to maximize your potential and really utilize the body's application of strength. From the basic bicep curl to pushups, drawing in your core will stabilize the body and make the exercise more effective.  Squeeze your abdominals in towards your spine rather than sucking in your stomach. Feel it? Great. It'll take a few more tries but with practice it'll come natural to you. In addition to the abdominal contractions, you should target your lower, upper and oblique abdominals with a more specific ab-workout. Of course, let's not forget your lower back muscles as well. These are paramount to the balance of your abdominals by offering support and counter force to core contraction. Incorporate some stabilization and isometric exercises to help balance core strength and you'll be on your way to building a stronger and more stable body!

Try some of these ab workouts before your daily routine and start seeing your core tighten up.

Ab Workout

• Bicycle - Lay on your back and alternate bringing your opposite knee to opposite elbow by twisting your midsection and then switch sides. Your head and shoulders should be lifted the entire time and the motion should be fluid without tugging on your neck. Keep your core drawn in the entire time and do 2 sets of 20.

• Planks - Planks can be performed on three different levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced. Start with beginner and work your way up to advanced.

1. Beginner - Lay on your stomach and lift yourself onto your forearms (hands straight in front of you planted on the floor) while keeping  your knees and feet on the ground. You're holding up your upper body without letting your neck fall below your shoulders. Your core is held in tight for 30 seconds - 1 minute.
2. Intermediate - Do the same as above, but lift yourself up on to your toes. Hold for 30 seconds - 1 minute.
3. Advanced - Do the same as above, but either get into a push up position or hold exercise of a longer duration of 90 seconds - 2 minutes.