By John V. Randolph
Many fitness enthusiasts desire to develop their abdomen more than any other area. Some fail to realize that the abdominal area is not merely one muscle. The abdomen is made up of a group of muscles. Because of this fact, one should utilize a group of different exercises in order to get the best work out for this group of muscles. There are many different exercises to choose from that are excellent for developing the abs.
The most popular exercise for the abs is the crunch. The crunch is done by lying face up on the floor. Then, with knees slightly bent, one would proceed to raise the upper-body towards the knees to crunch the abdomen. To raise the level of difficulty, one could place an exercise ball between ones legs and perform the crunch.
A nice variation on the popular crunch is to bring the left foot up and rest it on the right knee across the body. Repeat the crunching action while in this position. Follow this by placing the right foot across onto the left knee across ones body. Alternating the crunch exercise provides different stimulation for the muscle group which is an excellent work out for the abdominal muscles.
One more variation of the crunch is referred to as the reverse crunch. To perform the reverse crunch, one would lift the bottom half of ones body off of the floor instead of lifting the torso while lying on ones back. Swift motions is incorrect Slow, strong movements is proper form for the highest level of effectiveness in this as well as other abdominal exercises.
The hanging knee lift is a good exercise for the abdominal muscles. The hanging knee lift is performed by suspending yourself off of the ground from a pull up bar and then lifting the lower half of ones body upwards. Many people bend at the hip-joint and allow their body to sway as they perform this exercise. This is incorrect. One should keep themselves still and bend at the pelvis to get the greatest effect from this exercise.
Another workout for the abdominal muscles is known as the bicycle. In this exercise, one would lie on ones back and motions the legs in the same motion as one would when riding a bike. The hands should be interlocked and rest comfortably behind the head and the abs should be contracted the whole time in order to get the maximum benefit from this exercise. Also, one should twist the body while moving the legs to cause each elbow to alternately touch the opposite knee in the bicycle motion.
An alteration to the bicycle is to change the pace during the exercise. Moving from a fast pace to a slow pace alternates the resistance presented to the abs which improves this exercise greatly. One more alteration would be to stop during this exercise while ones feet was still in the air and then extend each leg one at a time 3 or 4 inches above the floor. Each leg should be allowed to hover above the floor for a few seconds before switching.
Alternate the days when performing these exercises and alterations. One should not work the same muscle group with the same exercise too consecutively. Also, keeping the movements slow and controlled is the best way to avoid the risk of injuring ones abdomen. The best work out for the abs can be obtained by using a group of the best abdominal exercises.
The most popular exercise for the abs is the crunch. The crunch is done by lying face up on the floor. Then, with knees slightly bent, one would proceed to raise the upper-body towards the knees to crunch the abdomen. To raise the level of difficulty, one could place an exercise ball between ones legs and perform the crunch.
A nice variation on the popular crunch is to bring the left foot up and rest it on the right knee across the body. Repeat the crunching action while in this position. Follow this by placing the right foot across onto the left knee across ones body. Alternating the crunch exercise provides different stimulation for the muscle group which is an excellent work out for the abdominal muscles.
One more variation of the crunch is referred to as the reverse crunch. To perform the reverse crunch, one would lift the bottom half of ones body off of the floor instead of lifting the torso while lying on ones back. Swift motions is incorrect Slow, strong movements is proper form for the highest level of effectiveness in this as well as other abdominal exercises.
The hanging knee lift is a good exercise for the abdominal muscles. The hanging knee lift is performed by suspending yourself off of the ground from a pull up bar and then lifting the lower half of ones body upwards. Many people bend at the hip-joint and allow their body to sway as they perform this exercise. This is incorrect. One should keep themselves still and bend at the pelvis to get the greatest effect from this exercise.
Another workout for the abdominal muscles is known as the bicycle. In this exercise, one would lie on ones back and motions the legs in the same motion as one would when riding a bike. The hands should be interlocked and rest comfortably behind the head and the abs should be contracted the whole time in order to get the maximum benefit from this exercise. Also, one should twist the body while moving the legs to cause each elbow to alternately touch the opposite knee in the bicycle motion.
An alteration to the bicycle is to change the pace during the exercise. Moving from a fast pace to a slow pace alternates the resistance presented to the abs which improves this exercise greatly. One more alteration would be to stop during this exercise while ones feet was still in the air and then extend each leg one at a time 3 or 4 inches above the floor. Each leg should be allowed to hover above the floor for a few seconds before switching.
Alternate the days when performing these exercises and alterations. One should not work the same muscle group with the same exercise too consecutively. Also, keeping the movements slow and controlled is the best way to avoid the risk of injuring ones abdomen. The best work out for the abs can be obtained by using a group of the best abdominal exercises.
