Abdominal Exercises to Improve Your Fitness
Abdominal muscles can be among the most difficult places to target when you are working out. Abdominals are hard to deal with; there aren’t many efficient exercises and, in order to get any muscles showing, you have to not only work out, but also diet, or else any muscles you shape up will just be covered in fat and not visible. However, there are some ab workouts that can build your core fitness, and these workouts can be done in your own home and with minimum costs. Most of these exercises also build the strength of your back and waist, so they truly are multi-purpose. Here are just two simple abdominal exercises that can be done in your home without the need for any equipment.
Abdominal Exercise 1
This abdominal workout is good to do if you are new to strengthening your core and are not is good shape. It is gentle and simple to do, but effective.
Lie down flat on a bath towel or a small sheet and arrange your body so that your hands are holding the top corners of the sheets by your ears. Then, bend your knees, keeping your feet flat to the floor. Contract your ab muscles while keeping your back in a straight line, and then take a deep breath while lifting your head, neck and shoulders off the ground. Hold this position, using the sheet for support. Let out your breath, and at the same time slide your right heel along the ground until your leg is extended. Then extend your left leg. Do this ten to fifteen times; pulling in and extending your legs, and then let down your upper body back onto the towel and relax. Swap your legs over and do another ten to fifteen with the opposite leg first. If you get any back pain stop this exercise immediately.
Why the exercise works? This workout forces your abdominal muscles to contract and stay tight while you stretch your legs. This in turn strengthens your core muscles. It is also not nearly as punishing on your back or neck as doing stomach crunches. It does take some practice though; so don’t be worried if you crash the first few times.
Ab Exercise 2
This abdominal workout takes some practice, but it is great for deep core strengthening exercises. Lie on your mat, and bring your legs up and dish your back (curve your back so that only the small of your back and your shoulder blades are touching the mat). Then, heighten your arms up by your ears and point your fingers out. Hold it for as long as possible. This may sound basic, but it truly takes some practice and you may have to try it with your arms down at first.
How the exercise works? This exercise is an basic way to tighten your ab muscles, because you are stretching everything out close to it. You are also pushing all of your balance on your midsection, which strengthens your core muscles.
Of course, there are many other abdominal strengthening exercises out there, and some of them require equipment or are best done in the fitness centre, while others can be done quite nicely in your home and in privacy. Core strengthening does not have to be difficult, but it does require commitment. Core strength plays a pivotal role maintaining good balance and internal strength so get fit and feel great. Besides, it will be worth it when your abs are the envy of all your friends!
Just a final note to warn anyone trying new exercises especially if they are not in good shape to consult their doctor to make sure the exercise would not be damaging.
