Do you want to exercise your abdominal muscles without going to the gym or using a dumbbell? One of the most straightforward tools in your fitness equipment—the non-other, the humble yoga block—could be the one for your abs. If your regular core workout has become dull or you are limited to just very few things to do at home, your midsection will love these 5 Yoga Block Ab Exercises that are also going to be a challenge to the muscles that are hard to reach.
Yoga blocks are supposed to be used in flexibility classes, hence they are more than just supportive aids. By using them, you will increase the load, the range of movement, and also have to maintain the right body posture. A mere block of $10 could entirely switch the way in which your body contracts the core muscles. So, if you want to feel the intensity besides the weight, pick a block (or use an equally heavy book if you are doing the exercise at home) and go for it.
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1. Oblique Crunches With a Block
This exercise is not the typical abs workout. By pressing the block between your knees, you include the inner thigh muscles, which in turn, supports the lower abs and thus, add more strength. Hold the side lean and your side muscles will be the first to ignite.
Position yourself on the floor with your face looking up, legs bent and a block between your thighs. Raise your legs till they are at a right angle and your upper body is lightly off the floor. During the crunch, bring your right elbow to your left knee, return to the middle and then touch your left elbow to your right knee. Tilt both sides carefully and see to it that your body keeps the light contact with the mat.
2. Single-Leg Kickouts
This is a very secretive move. As you do it, the emphasis is on the lower abs and also the stabilizing muscles are in action though you do not need to do one plank repetition. The only things that are a requirement, apart from the empty space, are a yoga block and your perfect body posture.
Start by lying down on your back with your legs lifted and your knees bent. Position the block longways on your left thigh and push your elbows into it. Get your head and shoulders slightly off the ground and then proceed to extend your right leg slowly and bring it just above the ground. Pull it in and do it again before you switch sides. You are constantly pushing a block with your elbows, this helps to maintain isometric tension in your upper body and core.
3. Elevated Leg Raises
Putting a yoga block under your lower back can be a small thing, yet it maximizes the range of motion of leg raises and additionally targets your core muscles to work intensely preserving stability.
Position your body on the floor with a yoga block under your back, at a place that is just above the hip. Move both legs upwards in a straight line. Lower them down as slowly as you can without letting your back arch or lose the contact with the block, and then re-raise them. Make sure your abs are involved and the movement is in control-if you go through it like the wind, the effect will be lessened.
4. V-Ups With Block Squeeze
V-up is an extremely demanding exercise for your core, but by using a block between the legs, you make it even harder. With that, you constantly make your inner thighs and lower abs work from one end of the movement to the other, therefore, you are burning those target muscles to the maximum potential.
Lay down on your back keeping still by using the block that is held firmly between the thighs. Extends your arms and legs the mat. Just as you elevate your upper and lower bodies at the same time, get your hands and feet to come together at a point above your midline. Pause for a short time at the top, then lower yourself slowly. If it’s too difficult to practice full V-ups, change the move a little by bending your knees.
5. Isometric Ab Holds
If you felt the static hold exercises were too simplistic to be tough, then this move will be a wake-up call for you. Putting pressure on the block while holding the position causes your whole core to work and gives you a serious endurance challenge
Firstly, lie on your back, place the block on your thighs, and then press both of your hands onto it. Your next step is to raise your legs to form a right angle and lift your shoulders slightly off the mat. Keep on pushing the thighs and the hands to let the block remain motionless. This way, you get a deep, complete-core contraction. For a different move, experiment with the elbows against the block instead of the hands.
Try This 15-Minute Yoga Block Core Workout
If you are interested in turning these exercises into a comprehensive abs workout, we’ve got a 15-minute yoga block routine that will definitely satisfy your core.
Workout Structure:
- 50 seconds per exercise
- 10 seconds rest between moves
- Complete 3 rounds
Circuit:
- Oblique Crunches (alternate sides each rep)
- Single-Leg Kickouts (switch legs halfway through)
- Elevated Leg Raises
- V-Ups
- Isometric Ab Hold
What’s great about this program is that it makes a demand on the areas of strength, the vestibular system as well as the role of core muscles in keeping balance without the use of the usual gym equipment. The yoga block will crank up the volume on the deep core muscle groups and get more muscle sympathy that the accessory muscles typically left in the dark need.
Did you know you could powerfully train your abs using a simple yoga block? These hard-hitting yoga block ab exercises are all you need to burn your body fat and make your core strong. Given that you follow the proper form and use your imagination, you can get your core to work even to the extreme with just your body and a few spare pounds of equipment.
If you are not only going to perform yoga postures the next time you unfold your yoga mat, then fire up your abs as well. One more thing, if you are lacking space, equipment, or time, this practice is highly recommended for achieving your desired look and at the same time not taking live time from your busy schedule.
