By John M. Erickson
People enthusiastic about their bodies health normally wish t develop their abs more than any other muscle. Many of them do not understand that ones abs is not one single muscle. The abs is actually a group of muscles. As a result, the way to get the best work out for abdominal muscles is by using different exercise. One can find many exercises which will potential help develop ones 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.
Another variation to the crunch exercise is the reverse crunch. In this exercise, one would lie on ones back and engage the abs by lifting the lower body upwards towards the chest instead of lifting the upper torso off of the floor towards the knees. Utilize slow and controlled motion to optimize the workout. As with most exercises, the effectiveness comes from using proper form.
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.
To get the best effect, the same exercise should not be executed every day. One should do different exercises to avoid working-out the same group of muscles in the exact same way on consecutive days. By using different exercises, one can potentially obtain the best work out for the abdominal muscles.
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.
Another variation to the crunch exercise is the reverse crunch. In this exercise, one would lie on ones back and engage the abs by lifting the lower body upwards towards the chest instead of lifting the upper torso off of the floor towards the knees. Utilize slow and controlled motion to optimize the workout. As with most exercises, the effectiveness comes from using proper form.
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.
To get the best effect, the same exercise should not be executed every day. One should do different exercises to avoid working-out the same group of muscles in the exact same way on consecutive days. By using different exercises, one can potentially obtain the best work out for the abdominal muscles.
About the Author:
Locate the best work out by going online. There you will find several tips to diet fitness exercise that will help you with your weight loss. Head online now.