The Best Abdominal Exercise Routine For Developing Swimsuit-Worthy Abs
Uncertain about which is the best abdominal exercise to include in your work out? I understand as there are so many to pick from. Let’s see if I can’t help you. Because if you get this right all sorts of good things happen.
Obviously there is no ONE all encompassing ab exercise that produces taut, well developed abs. So if you were hoping to discover that, sadly you’re in for disappointment. Truth is you can best firm those sagging stomach muscles by doing a variety of ab exercises. That and eating right and including a regular cardio routine is how best to melt off any unwanted ab flab.
I will say this however. The best abdominal exercise is that which targets the major muscles of your abdomen namely you external and internal obliques, rectus abdominis and transverses abdominis. Let’s briefly touch on each.
Your oblique muscles run down both sides of your truck. They play a role in torso rotation and help maintain good posture.
The rectus abdominis, which runs down the center of your abdomen, is responsible for pelvic movement and forward bend of your lower spine.
While the transverses abdominis works to maintain spinal stability.
So what are some of the best exercises to target these muscles?
For the obliques side crunches, twisting crunches, captain’s chair are some of the best exercises you can do. When crunches are done on a stability ball you get double benefits of both strengthening your core and improving balance and stability.
Reverse crunches, bicycle crunch, hip raises, and the abdominal crunch are some good exercises that focus on the rectus abdominis.
Some of the best work outs for the transverse abdominis are planks and pelvic tilts.
Apart from these there are a variety of workouts to strengthen the abdomen muscles like cable kneeling crunches, weighted decline sit-ups, hanging leg raises which provide a wide range of motion. And let’s not forget that Pilates is a complete workout which targets all the abdominal muscles.
Trainer Tip: Try to do your cardio routine first thing in the morning. Doing so will keep your metabolism up for the entire day. Helping you burn calories sitting at your desk.
See? You do not need expensive equipment at home to do ab exercises. Just be aware of what needs to be done in the beginner routines and that sit-ups or doing high intensity reps on ab machines may not help you at all. Understand these muscles and listen to your body. Then make adjustments and nobody can stop you from having those smashing abs.
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