If abdominal exercises make you want to look better in your jeans, you’re not alone. But there are other reasons why strong, toned abs should be on your fitness wish list.
Technically, the abdominal muscles consist of five main muscles:
Rectus Abdominis: Located between the rib cage and the pelvic bone, it is more commonly known as the “six pack”.
External obliques: They are located on the sides of the rectus abdominis and allow the trunk to twist.
Internal Obliques: Also flank the rectus abdominis muscle, but inside the hip bones, and also assist in twisting movements.
Transverse abdominals: They are located behind the obliques and help stabilize the trunk. They are also sometimes called the corset muscles.
Pyramidalis – This small, triangle-shaped muscle is located in the pelvis and helps maintain internal abdominal pressure.
Together, these muscles are responsible for your ability to lean or bend.
But these muscles are just one part of your core, which refers to the muscles that essentially form the base of your body, allowing you to hold it upright. All movement originates from the core, so it’s important to prioritize a core-focused form of exercise in your daily routine. The trunk also includes the erector spinae muscles, which help stabilize you when you stand or sit, lift, or rotate your upper body.
By working all these muscles, your abdominal muscles and the muscles of your spine, together, you will get a more sculpted stomach. Most importantly for your overall health and functioning, this core strengthening improves balance, posture, and mobility, while reducing the risk of injury and certain types of chronic pain (such as in the lower back). . Bottom Line: Stronger abs make general aging a little easier.
To achieve this, try a combination of isometric exercises (static, like planks, where a muscle gets stronger as it stabilizes) and dynamic exercises. And remember: Just because you can’t see a six-pack doesn’t mean you don’t have strong abdominal muscles. Don’t be fooled by what social media defines as a strong core. There are people who don’t have visible abs but can carry 100% more weight than this model on Instagram.
How to do the workouts
Here are three workouts that target all of your core and abdominal muscles. You can choose the Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced circuit based on your fitness level, working your way up to the most difficult moves.
Repeat the exercises for each circuit three times for one workout. Rest as little as possible between movements (no more than 90 seconds). Aim to complete your workout, at whatever level you choose, twice a week, and when you’re ready to increase the intensity, do it three times a week.
Note: If you have an injury or health problem that may limit your ability to exercise, consult your doctor before starting a new workout.
circuit for beginners
1. Dead insect
Lie on your back, arms outstretched, shoulders stretched toward the sky. Bend and lift your knees so they form a 90-degree angle. (Shins should be parallel to the floor.) Contract your abs and press your lower back into the floor. Hold this position for as long as possible, up to 45 seconds, then rest for 15 seconds. Repeat two more times.
2. plank
Place your hands and knees on the floor, then rest your forearms on the floor to support your body weight. Elbows should be directly below shoulders; the hands can be held against each other (forearms angled towards each other) or flat on the floor (forearms parallel to each other). Step back so that your body forms a straight line, parallel to the ground, from your shoulders to your ankles. Contract your core and hold this position for as long as possible, up to 45 seconds, then rest for 15 seconds. Repeat the exercise two more times.
3. Side plank
Begin with plank pose. Place your right elbow directly under the middle of your chest, facing forward, then raise your left hand to your waist, stacking your left foot on top of your right (so that your left leg is also stacked on top of your right). Raise your left arm toward the sky, keeping your hips lifted and your buttocks contracted. Hold this position for as long as possible, up to 45 seconds, then rest for 15 seconds. Repeat two more times, then switch to the other side and repeat.
intermediate circuit
1. V-bike
Begin by sitting on the floor in a V position, balancing on your buttocks, with your legs extended diagonally in front of you and your arms extended diagonally behind you (so that your limbs form a V). Bring right elbow toward left knee, keeping chest open and extending right leg lengthwise. Repeat the exercise on the opposite side, bringing the left elbow closer to the right knee. Do as many reps as you can while maintaining proper form, up to 20 reps.
2. Plank with elbows
Return to a side plank position. Raise the upper part of your right arm towards the sky. (If it’s too difficult, modify the position by placing the bottom of the knee on the ground, with the leg pointing back.) Slightly bend at the waist to reach the floor and bring your upper arm through the space between your side and the floor. Return to your original position and repeat. Do as many reps as you can while maintaining proper form, up to 20 reps. Repeat on the other side.
3. Side plank, knee to elbow
Begin in a side plank position with your right elbow on the floor supporting you, keeping your hips lifted and glutes engaged. He extends his left arm over his head, then slowly brings his left knee up to touch his left elbow, drawing in his body. He goes back to square one. Do as many reps as you can while maintaining good form, up to 20 reps. Repeat the exercise on the other side.
advanced circuit
1. Touches of the hips
Start in a plank position (forearms flat on the floor and supporting your body weight) with your hips slightly raised in a stake position. Drop your left hip toward the floor, return to hip toe position, and drop your right hip toward the floor. Keep alternating to do as many reps as you can while maintaining proper form, up to 18 reps.
2. Leg curls
Start standing with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart. Lower the buttocks into a squatting position. Quickly place your hands on the floor and jump up onto your legs to get into a plank position. Return to a squat position with your legs and return to a standing position. (If the jump is too difficult, modify the exercise by taking a step back.) Do as many reps as you can while maintaining proper form, up to 15 reps.
3. Knees raised to the sides
Start to stand up. Bring left knee to chest and right palm to ear in running position. Quickly switch arms and legs (like jogging) and step to the left. Continue alternating for three steps; is a series Go back in the opposite direction by three steps; this is the second series. Do 12 sets in total, six on each side.
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