Archive for the ‘Ab Workouts’ Category

Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle has been around a little while now and it is still a very hot topic. Is it a scam? For real? Let’s take a look at Tom Venuto’s book and course, and find out. This will be a little long in regards to a common post…but we need to look at the whole package. Okay…. Read the rest of this entry »

The desire for a well-defined midsection seems to be the goal for most fitness seekers.

Achieving this goal comes through much effort and attention to muscle specific training, intense cardio and diligent dieting. Despite the fact that after hours of crunches, leg lifts and twists, the coveted six pack abs may still not be revealed; there still remain numerous benefits from developing strong abdominal muscles. Well-trained and developed core muscles not only look good, but they also provide support for the entire torso structure. Read the rest of this entry »

The plank exercise ranked number 10 in the ACE study and is a great way to build endurance in both the abs and back, as well as stabilizer muscles. To do it right:

1. Lie face down on mat resting on the forearms, palms flat on the floor.
2. Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows.
3. Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels.
4. Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air.
5. Hold for 20 to 60 seconds, lower and repeat for 3-5 reps.

Many people wish they could get in shape but they are not 100% sure how to go about doing it. Yes they may know that lifting weights and hitting the gym is the route to go, but there may be some roadblocks in place that prevents them from doing it. They may not have the time to go to the gym or they many not have the extra money to afford a membership. This can prove to be problematic because hitting the gym leads to the growth of lean muscle mass. Read the rest of this entry »

How many weight loss tips do you know? Plenty, right? You’ve read them in the health and fitness magazines, you’ve seen them on the Internet, you may have heard them from your doctor, and you’ve certainly discussed them with your friends. Read the rest of this entry »

This exercise works your core, building strength and is known as the alternating superman exercise. Here’s how it’s done:

* Lie face down on a mat with your arms stretched above your head (like superman)
* Raise your right arm and left leg about 5-6 inches off the ground (or as far as you comfortably can).
* Hold for 3 seconds and relax.
* Repeat with the opposite arm and leg.

Seated oblique twists with medicine ball, sometimes called a Russian Twist, is a very effective exercise for strengthening the abdominal muscles, particularly the rectus abdominis, the external obliques and internal obliques.

How to do it right:

* Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
* Contract your abs and sit at about a 45 degrees angle.
* Hold a medicine with both hands directly in front of you
* Contracting your abs, twist slowly from your torso to your right and touch the medicine ball to the floor beside you.
* Quickly, but smoothly, contract your abs and twist your torso and touch the medicine ball to the other side.
* Repeat for the desired number of reps.

Thanks to Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide and sportsmedicine.about.com

The v-sit is an effective abdominal and core exercise that works the rectus abdominis, the external obliques and internal obliques. This exercise also engages the hip flexors.

How to Do It

* Begin in a seated position, contract your abdominal muscles and core, and lift your legs up to a 45-degree angle.
* Reach your arms straight forward or reach up toward your shins as you are able.
* Maintain good core posture and a strong spine.
* Hold this “V” position for several seconds to begin. As you get stronger, hold the position longer.
* Return to your starting position slowly.
* Just before you reach the floor, stop and hold the position for a few seconds.
* Repeat this entire movement several times.

The exercise ball is an excellent tool to strengthen the abs and comes out number three for working the rectus abdominis. To do it right:

1. Lie face-up with the ball resting under your mid/lower back.
2. Cross your arms over the chest or place them behind your head.
3. Contract your abs to lift your torso off the ball, pulling the bottom of your ribcage down toward your hips.
4. As you curl up, keep the ball stable (i.e., you shouldn’t roll).
5. Lower back down, getting a stretch in the abs, and repeat for 12-16 reps.

Thanks to Paige Waehner and exercise.about.com

The body core consists of the bones of the spine and pelvis and all of the many connected muscles whose job it is to stabilize that core structure. Core strength training involves exercises that are designed to increase the strength and flexibility of the muscles, tendons, and bones from the shoulders to the hips. Read the rest of this entry »