Shadow Boxing Your Way To Ripped Abs

Shadow boxing is an effective and efficient method which is not known to many people to achieve well-defined abs. It is an imaginary fight between you and an invisible opponent. The idea is to put together a series of punches to out-manoeuvre your imaginary sparring partner. You will probably feel silly at first dancing around the room chasing an invisible enemy but it won't be long until all is forgotten in a hail of jabs, hooks and crosses. Read on to learn the 3 basic moves of shadow boxing.

Front hand jab - The jab is a small movement. The action begins in the hips and when the punch is released the bodyweight is bought forward onto the bent front leg. Get in your fighting stance. To jab, snap the front fist out towards the target taking care not to lock out of the elbow. Retract the arm quickly and return to fighting stance.

Back hand cross - Begin in fighting stance. Punch out with your back hand, pivoting on the ball of your rear foot, twisting through your waist and lifting the back heel off the floor. You do this to drive your bodyweight from the rear leg to the front leg. Snap the arm back to the original position.

Front hook - With the left foot leading, rotate through the ball of the left foot lifting the heel. At the same time bring the elbow of the front arm in a head straight 90-degree angle and drive it across the line of vision using the power from your hips. Snap back quickly to fighting stance.

If you want to double the effectiveness of shadow boxing, you can have a 1 minute break between rounds, either jogging on the spot or walking about the room. Aim to spend 20 minutes shadow boxing everyday. It might be challenging for people starting out but if you can hang on to it, you will definitely be able to see how it can be beneficial to achieving a toned ripped abs.