Strong core muscles help you move with ease and maintain good posture and balance. When you include ab workouts, you're increasing the strength of the core. At Habitat Health and Fitness in Lakeland, FL, we include ab workouts. They help keep your stomach flat, improve your posture, and allow you to move freely. When your core muscles are strong, you can bend, twist, and stand erect with ease. Strengthening the abs reduces the effort of the back muscles to keep you erect. That relieves back, hip, and leg pain.
Planks work the abs and the upper body.
If you do a plank correctly, you'll work your abs. While planks don't require a lot of movement, they still aren't easy to do. There are almost 25 ways to do planks with the two best known being the forearm plank and the straight arm plank. The forearm plank starts in a push-up position with the body straight and the weight on the forearms and toes. A straight-arm plank is similar, but your arms are straight with the body's weight on the palms of the hands and toes.
Do a bridge to strengthen your abs and build a stronger core.
Like planks, a bridge is relatively simple. Lay on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Your arms should be by your sides. Now raise your hips off the floor until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your head. Squeeze all your core muscles tight, pulling in your belly as much as possible. Hold for a half minute and then lower your body back down slowly.
V sit-ups or bicycle crunches strengthen your abs.
The key to success when doing V sit-ups is to focus on form and squeezing your core muscles as you do the v sit-up. Lie down with your legs and arms straight. Extend your arms above your head. Lift your legs and arms off the floor until your body forms a V. Hold the position, then slowly lower your body back to the starting position. Start on your back with your elbows bent and hands behind your head if you're doing a bicycle crunch. Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor. Slightly raise your head as you bring one knee up, straightening the other leg. Tap your knee with your elbow. Then lower it and do the opposite leg.
- Just like push-ups, beginners can start on bent knees when doing planks. It helps strengthen their body until they can do the traditional form.
- You can boost the core-building effects of a walking lunge by taking it a step further. Lunge walk with your hands above your head. Twisting your upper body or reaching forward also works the abs more.
- A traditional push-up can work the abs and tone the core muscles. Don't allow your belly to sage when you do it. Start with a bent knee push-up if you can't do the traditional push-up.
- Before you start any exercise program, always check with your healthcare professional first, particularly if you have pre-existing health issues.
For more information, contact us today at Habitat Health & Fitness
