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Ab Work
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Increase the Challenge: Crunches on Exercise Ball
If the basic crunches on the fitness ball in my all abs workout are starting to feel less than challenging, don't ditch the exercise altogether — alter the move to make it harder. Here are some simple tweaks to tax your abs more while doing crunches on an exercise ball.
- Bring your legs together.
Learn to Love the Captain's Chair
Even with it's silly name the captain's chair is one of the most effective way to work your abs, and that alone is reason to love it. I find it amazing that such a simple piece of equipment can really work my deep abs. The captain's chair won't give you a six pack, but it will help you develop flat abs since the abdominal muscles are working more as stabilizers against your powerful hip flexors.
Fit Tip: Crunch Time
Just a little reminder to keep working your abs even though all the sit ups in the world will not reduce your belly fat: Strong abs are important for the health of your back! The great thing about working your abs is that the exercises to do so can be incorporated easily into both cardio and strength-training routines.
On cardio days, once you are warmed up, you can do your abs before or after your aerobic workout.
Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates Ab Sculpting
Sometimes getting to the gym or a Pilates class is just impossible! It is those times that make us all thankful for DVD players. It can be almost as difficult to find a good exercise DVD, as it is to get to the gym.What is your FAVORITE exercise?
We all have exercises we do every time we workout - what is yours?
What is your FAVORITE exercise?
Sit ups - Abdominal work makes me feel like I am working IT
Bicep curls - Bring me Madonna's arms on a platter
Hamstring curls - Got to balance the legs
Push ups - I am GI Jane
Stretching - In a past life I think I was a cat
The lat pull down - Even though I can't see my back I want it toned!
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How Often Should I Work My Abs?
A lot of people who are looking for a flat, tight midsection may have the tendency to work their abs every day, but that may not be the answer.
The problem with that is this: Your abs are not different from the other major muscles of the body which means you want to give them (like you would your other muscles) time to recuperate. Keeping that in mind, you really shouldn't work your abs (high intensity ab workout) more than three times per week, allowing at least 48 hours rest between training sessions.
Assess Your Ab Work
Countless crunches and multiple sets of Russian twists might tone your abs, but they're not so great for your back. Not only that, but they aren't functional movement, meaning the strength gained in these exercises won't really help you outside the gym. Repeatedly rounding the spine in a crunch or full sit-up sets the stage for a disk injury.
Work It Girl: At Your Desk Abs
Sitting at your desk doesn't mean you can't work on toning your mid-section. You can work your belly at work without your boss ever knowing you're doing some strength training on the job. All you need to do is pull your navel to your spine, the most basic Pilates move.
Block Work: Lower Ab Exercise
If you're dealing with chronic lower-back pain, exercises like the Lower Back Release will help stretch out your spine. But you can't stop there; you also need to strengthen your core, so give this variation of Scissor Abs a try. Raising your hips up off the ground helps to protect your lower back and you just might find it more challenging, too.
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