The best ab exercises for runners (2024)

Runners know that a strong core is vital for good performance but which stomach exercises should be included in the best ab workout?

A new study, published by the American Council on Exercise, looked into this, ranking the best and worst stomach exercises in order of their effectiveness.

The study looked at the results of a number of different ab exercises, from the traditional crunch to an ab roller, on 30 healthy men and women aged between 20-45. The participants were a mix of occasional to regular exercisers. The results were studied by analysing the muscle activity during each of the 13 different exercises using electromyography equipment.

According to the study, the best ab exercises for hardening your core are:

1. Bicycle crunches

According to the study, the bicycle crunch was the most effective stomach exercise when analysing the muscle activity in the abdominals.

To complete a bicycle crunch, lie on your back with your lower back pressed into the ground, bring your knees in towards your chest and lift your shoulder blades off the ground. Straighten your right leg, whist turning your upper body to the left, bringing your right elbow towards the left knee.

2. Captain’s chair

The best ab exercises for runners (3)The best ab exercises for runners (4)

For this ab exercise you’ll need to be in a gym. Using a captain’s chair or a seat-less chair with back and armrests, let your legs dangle straight down, before raising your knees up towards your chest. Engaging your ab muscles, slowly lower your legs back down and repeat. Definitely one to add to the best ab workout list.

3. Crunches on an exercise ball

According to the study, the third most-effective abdominal exercise was the simple crunch, but on a medicine or balance ball. Lie on the ball with your hands behind your head and complete the simple crunch, using your core muscles to lower yourself down and bring yourself forwards.

According to the researchers, although crunches on an exercise ball generated less activity in the obliques and rectus abdominals than some of the other ab exercises on the list, as it generated less activity in the leg muscles, it was more targeted to the abs and the best overall exercise.

The worst exercises for working your core:

Researchers found the least effective ab exercises on the list were the traditional crunch, an exercise tubing pull using a resistance band, and using an ab rocker. Researchers noted: “the ab roller was no more effective than the traditional crunch, while the ab rocker was up to 80% less effective.”

For best results, the author of the study recommends adding several of the top-rated exercises to a five minute, daily routine.

The 13 ab exercises used, ranked most to least effective, were:

1. Bicycle crunches

2. Captain’s chair

3. Crunches on an exercise ball

4. Vertical leg crunch

5. Torso Track

6. Long arm crunch

7. Reverse crunch

8. Crunch with heel push

9. Ab Roller

10. Hover

11. Traditional crunch

12. Exercise tubing pull

13. Ab Rocker

The best ab exercises for runners (2024)

FAQs

What is the #1 ab exercise? ›

According to the study, the bicycle crunch was the most effective stomach exercise when analysing the muscle activity in the abdominals. To complete a bicycle crunch, lie on your back with your lower back pressed into the ground, bring your knees in towards your chest and lift your shoulder blades off the ground.

Are ab workouts good for runners? ›

You've probably heard that building up core strength has many benefits when it comes to running. At a high level, a strong core can improve your posture and speed. Because your arms and legs all stem from the core, the strength in your limbs is tied to the strength in your torso.

Will I get abs if I run enough? ›

And, will running give you abs? “Yes, running can help give you defined abs,” said Todd Buckingham, Ph. D., exercise physiologist. But before you get too excited, it's important to note that running alone isn't enough to improve muscular definition in your midsection.

How do long distance runners get abs? ›

According to Naughton, the best form of running session to work on your core and develop strong abdominal muscles is speed sessions. If you're predominantly a distance runner, a good, simple speed session to try is 10-20 reps of 100m sprints, with 30-40 second walking breaks between sprints.

What is the best ab exercise to do every day? ›

Sit-Ups & Reverse Crunch

It helps in working your obliques, glutes, neck muscles, transverse, and rectus abdominis. These are very easy core exercises that you can practice every day. For the sit-ups, you need to lie on your back and then lift up your torso without balancing your body with your hands.

How often should runners train abs? ›

You should aim for a core running workout at least once a week to keep your core strong and healthy.

How to get toned as a runner? ›

Running intervals and sprints and doing strength training tones your legs better than long-distance running. You have to eat enough calories and protein so that long runs won't chip away at your leg muscles. You can tone your legs with skipping, squat jumps, bodyweight exercises, and weight training.

How to get faster at running? ›

How to Run Faster
  1. Perfect Your Running Form. Proper running form is critical to increasing your speed. ...
  2. Incorporate Speed Workouts. To run faster, you need to train your body to adapt to higher speeds. ...
  3. Strengthen Your Core and Legs. ...
  4. Prioritize Recovery and Rest. ...
  5. Stay Consistent and Patient.
Aug 30, 2023

What is a runner's physique? ›

When you think of a runner's body, you probably think of a certain body type: long, lean, and leggy. However, runners come in as many sizes and shapes as everyone else, and each body will respond in its own way to training.

Will running give me a flat stomach? ›

Many studies show that: Moderate-intensity jogging (including short or long distances), high-intensity running (variable running, uphill running, sprinting or HIIT combined with running) are remarkably effective. significantly in reducing belly fat, even without changing the diet.

How long does it take to get abs if you run everyday? ›

Your timeline to a six-pack depends on the body fat percentage you're starting with. A good rule of thumb (and a safe one) is to aim to lose 1 to 2 percent of body fat per month. So, unveiling your abs can take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years. It really does vary.

Does running tone your butt? ›

Running can boost your aerobic endurance as well as power up and tone your glutes — aka your butt muscles. But getting a bigger booty depends on the kind of running you're doing.

How many pushups should I do a day? ›

You can do push-ups every day if you're doing a modest amount of them. White defines that as 10 to 20 push-ups if your max is 25 reps, 2 sets of 10 to 20 if your max is between 25 and 50 reps, and 2 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 if your max is above 50 push-ups.

Can running reduce belly fat? ›

Running is an excellent form of exercise for weight loss. It burns a lot of calories, may help you continue to burn calories long after a workout, may help suppress appetite and targets harmful belly fat. What's more, running has many other benefits for your health and is simple to begin.

What is the number one exercise for the core? ›

The core is a collection of muscles that stabilize, rotate and move the spine. A healthy core translates into a stronger lower back and better balance. The most effective core exercises are dead bug, side plank, front plant, vertical leg crunches, flutter kicks, Russian twists and the hollow body hold and hang.

Is 1 ab exercise a day enough? ›

How often should you do abs? The recommended frequency of abs exercises is to give yourself at least one rest day in between each abs session so your muscles have the chance to recover. Feliciano recommends doing 5 to 10 minutes of core work two to three times a week.

What is A1 A2 B1 B2 workout? ›

The order of exercises can be seen on the left-hand side (A1, A2, B1 etc). You will do exercise A1 and A2 together and then rest. Exercise B1 and B2 together and then rest and so on. Reps are the number of times you perform the exercise and sets are how many rounds of the exercise(s).

What is the one side ab workout? ›

Weighted Side Bend
  1. Stand holding a dumbbell, kettlebell or even a heavy book at your side with one hand, palm facing in.
  2. Bend your torso on the side that you are holding the weight. ...
  3. Return the weight to your side, standing straight up. ...
  4. That's one rep.
Nov 12, 2019

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