An intense ab workout can get you on your way to a flat and toned stomach. There are three exercises that can give an effective and intense workout for abs without a lot of time and target the entire body for an overall effect. However all exercise must be performed correctly and a warm up done before hand to ensure there are no injuries to the muscles.

The first exercise in an intense abdominal workout is known as the barbell front squat. Balance a barbell on the shoulders with the arms crossed to support it. The elbows should point out in front of you. Next bring the weight down slowly by bending the knees as you keep the barbell on the shoulders. The stress of the movement should be felt in the thighs and abdominal muscles. The ab muscles are utilized to stabilize the body's weight since the weight at the front of the body is exerted.

The second of the intense ab workout exercises is the mountain climber. This exercise is effective at increasing the metabolic rate of the body. The upper body is worked with this intense cardio vascular workout to give an intense ab workout as well. The mountain climber is started with both hands on the ground in a push position. The knees are alternately shuffled toward the chest. The motion resembles that of someone climbing.

The third ab workout exercise is intense and known as is the one arm dumbbell snatch. Hold a dumbbell in one hand between your legs slightly out in front of the body. The knees should be bent slightly. Utilizing on swift movement lift the dumbbell over the head and bring it back down to the starting position quickly. This is one full repetition; a set of at least six repetitions should be done with each hand using a weight that is suitable to the individual fitness level.

An intense ab workout can aid in speeding up the loss of body fat around the stomach by increasing the metabolic rate a great deal. The increase in metabolism makes the diet and exercise routine more effective at a quicker pace.