Any trained athlete knows if you want capped shoulders, a big chest, and massive arms, you have to train your upper body. If you want Ronnie Coleman-sized legs and glutes, you must train your lower body. But if you want the coveted V-cut abs, you'll have to not only build your abdominal muscles but lower your body fat percentage with a mix of cardio, HIIT workouts, and a clean diet.
We asked Don Saladino, C.P.T., owner of Drive 495—and best known for being a personal trainer to none other than Ryan Reynolds—to share his favorite moves, plus a workout routine that's proven to define your sex lines.
Even better: These abs exercises won't hurt your back while lighting up your lower abdominals. Do the first three moves as one workout or at the end of your regular full-body routine. Do the last three moves on a separate day, again as one cohesive workout or as a finisher to your regular routine.
Related: The Best Sex Positions: 50 Fun, Different Positions to Try
'V Lines' Workout: Day I
1. Hanging Leg Raise
Hanging Leg Raises
James Michelfelder
How to Do It
- Hang from a pullup bar with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width and palms facing forward, to start.
- Raise your knees to your chest.
- That's 1 rep.
- Complete 3 AMRAP sets before reaching technical failure (bad form).
Pro Tip
To make it harder, keep your legs straight out in front of you as you raise them.
2. Ab Wheel Rollouts
Ab Wheel Rollouts
James Michelfelder and Therese Sommerseth
How to Do It
- Kneel on the floor and grip the ab wheel, to start.
- Roll it out directly in front of you until you lose tension in your core, then roll yourself back to start.
- That's 1 rep.
- Complete 3 sets of 15 reps, resting 20-30 seconds in between each set.
3. Barbell Russian Twist
Barbell Russian Twist
Beth Bischoff
How to Do It
- Grab the barbell in front of you with both hands, feet shoulder-width apart, to start.
- Swing the bar to your left, and then swing to the right.
- That’s 1 rep.
- Complete 3 sets of 10 reps, resting 20-30 seconds in between.
'V Lines' Workout: Day 2
1. Reverse Crunches
Reverse Crunches
Justin Steele
How to Do It
- Lie on your back with arms, shoulders, and legs extended out off the floor, to start.
- Bend your hips and knees toward your chest, and then crunch your torso up and off the floor.
- Pause, then return to start.
- That's 1 rep.
- Complete 3 AMRAP sets before hitting technical failure (bad form).
2. Heavy One-Arm Suitcase Carries
Heavy 1-arm Suitcase Carries
Beth Bischoff
How to Do It
- Stand next to a heavy barbell, bend down, sink your hips back, and grab ahold of the bar.
- Stand back up.
- w tighten your core and slightly bend forward while keeping your back straight—this will engage your abs muscles.
- That's 1 rep.
- Complete 3 sets, walking 50 yards in each direction.
3. Cable Crunches
Cable Crunches
James Michelfelder
How to Do It
- Position yourself facing the machine, a few feet away, on both knees, to start.
- w grip the rope in front of you, and crunch your body in so your forearms come to your knees and your head meets the floor.
- That's 1 rep.
- Complete 3 sets of 15 reps, resting 20-30 seconds in between each set.
Related: 10 Kettlebell Workouts to Get Six-Pack Abs
What Are V-Cut Abs?
If one thing action figures, Hollywood superheroes, and bodybuilders have in common it's their abs of steel, specifically the highly sought-after V lines that can be seen tapering down from their abs. "Sex lines," aka that abdominal V line is one of the hardest parts of your abs to sculpt. That V shape is created where two muscles meet: the lower abs and obliques. So in order to make them pop, you need to perform specific exercises that hit both muscle groups.
How to Get V-Cut Abs
Think a few sets of crunches will give you that desired V shape? Think again. While regularly training your abs can help you gain the muscle you need to obtain the desired shape, Saladino says: “You could be doing the greatest abs workout ever, and they'll never be seen because of the layer of fat over them." Like people always say "abs start in the kitchen." So stock up on our fittest foods while adding these moves to your regimen for a ripped core in no time.
