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Posts Tagged ‘Abdominal Muscles’

Using Resistance Bands in Abdominal Exercises

November 25th, 2009

Using resistance bands can be an effective component of any workout routine, and abdominal exercises are no exception. There are a number of exercises targeting the midsection that incorporate resistance bands. Resistance bands come in a variety of difficulties, usually indicated by the color of the band itself (e.g., green can be little resistance, yellow may be medium, red for difficult, etc.). Choose a resistance level that is appropriate for you, then move up as necessary. Do not overdo it by immediately grabbing the most advanced band you can find, as this can lead to injury. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before beginning and always warm up properly to avoid injury.

Seated Crunch

This exercise provides the same benefits as the basic abdominal crunch, but with less neck strain and without the possible discomfort that comes with lying on the floor, since it uses a band rather than gravity to provide resistance. For this abdominal exercise, you will need to be sitting in a straight back chair which you can somehow loop your band through. Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor and about as wide apart as your hips. Contract your abdominal muscles, and slowly bend forward to about a forty-five degree angle. Repeat for an entire set. Be sure to keep your feet on the floor and your back as straight as possible.

One-Arm Band Pull

Put the chair away and stand up, again with feet hip width apart. Put your hands above your head, holding the band about eighteen inches apart. Keeping your left hand overhead, bring your right hand out to the side, elbow bent at about a ninety degree angle. Hold your left arm still as you contract your abdominals and lower your right arm until your hand is in line with your chest. Hold this position, then slowly return. Repeat for an entire set, then switch hands. Keep your back straight and avoid bending or leaning at the waist. For an additional challenge, do this exercise standing on one foot. Perform the exercise with both hands while standing on your left foot, then do it all again on your right foot.

Twisting Roll-Back

For this abdominal exercise, you will need to sit on a flat surface, preferably the floor. Use a mat or towel for cushioning to ease possible strain on your tail bone. Sit down with your legs bent and heels on the floor. Your toes should be pointing up– do not put your feet flat on the floor. Loop the band around your feet, put one end in each hand and put your hands together. In a rolling motion, lower your torso toward the floor about forty-five degrees. As you do this, twist to the right and spread your hands to the sides. Hold for a second, then rotate back to the middle and raise your torso back to start. Your heels should remain on the floor throughout the exercise. Do a full set, then switch to the left side.

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What are Some Workouts That Really Work Your Abs- Top Workouts

November 24th, 2009

Trying to figure out some workouts that really work your abs can be frustrating and difficult.  Especially when you aren’t sure which exercises you should do.  It’ll have you wondering, “What are some workouts that really work your abs”.So, what I’m going to do is share with you some workouts that will really hit your midsection.  That way, you’ll be able to have some great abs.The workouts are:1.  The first thing you should do is exercises like hanging leg raises, knee raises, and reverse crunches.  These particular exercises will work your lower abs.  It’s a great way to make sure you abdominal muscles look great all over.  You should 3 sets of 15 reps with the exercises.2.  Another workout that really work your abs are full crunches, cable crunches, and incline situps.  These exercises will work the upper abs.  You should do 2 sets of 20 with these exercises.  You can lower the reps and use weights if you want to.3.  Another workout that you can do is to do cardio.  I know this isn’t an ab workout, however it will help work your abdominal muscles and help burn your belly fat.  Which is great for exposing the abs you’re working on.  The cardio work that you can do includes jogging, swimming, and taking a fitness/aerobics class.These are some workouts that really work your abs.  If you really want a great midsection, be sure to include the exercises above into your workout routine.  Now that you have the answer to your question, “what are some workouts that really work your abs”, go out and get yourself a nice looking midsection.

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Pilates Abs Workout

November 23rd, 2009

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Pilates is a great way to strengthen abs without doing even a single crunch. It is an exercise that primarily focuses on strengthening and creating a better looking stomach and buttocks. it also increases your flexibility improves your posture and strengthens the body’s muscles. Pilates and Yoga are similar they are both mind/body activities. Their focus is on breathing and posture. However, they can’t take the place of traditional cardio and strength training exercises. There are several different pilates abs exercises such as, plank. This is when you are in the push up position and you are using your elbows to support your body weight. Pilates moves are by far the best abdominal exercises. Where crunches work primarily the rectus abdominus (the large “six pack” of muscle in the center of the abdomen).

Pilates works the deeper abdominal muscles and the stabilizers that help to hold it all in. It has also been shown to lengthen the muscles considerably,giving a taller, leaner appearance. Many exercises that tone the abs. There are many more, and Pilates is meant to be done in one smooth-flowing sequence. You then contract your abs holding this position for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat as many times as possible. There is also the 100s position, in which you lie flat on your back with your legs together and straight. Lifting your head and shoulders off the ground you pull in your abs. Roll-Up exercises-Sit with your legs straight and your arms in front of you Holding your abs in, slowly roll all the way down, feeling each vertebra press into the mat.

Until you’re lying flat, being careful not to let your feet pop up. Now raise your arms on high your chest and slowly roll your trunk up and forward, tightening your stomach, until you’re back to the starting position. Crisscrosses — With your head slightly emboss,bring your knees to your chest and place your hands gently behind your head (don’t interlace your fingers). Inhale and slowly twist to the right, bringing your left elbow to your right knee while extending your right leg. Hold this long enough to exhale. Now inhale and return to the starting position. Repeat, bringing your right elbow to your left knee. The Teaser — Lie flat on your back with your legs straight out and arms on the mat, stretched straight up over your head.

Lift your legs up while raising both arms overhead until your fingers are pointing at your toes. Breath and slowly roll back down, feeling each vertebra press into the mat, back to the starting position. Repeat three times. Rolling exercises- Sit up and pull your ankles in toward your buttocks, wrapping your hands around them. Bring your head toward your knees and lift your feet off the mat so that you’re balancing on your tailbone. Tighten your tummy and slowly roll backward just until your shoulders touch the mat be careful not to roll on your neck. Immediately roll back up. Strong Pilates body depends on the powerhouse woven and deep layer of lower back and abdominal muscles. This system of exercise allows the person to move elegantly and stand boldly throughout their life.

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Abdominal Exercise Alternatives To Crunches

November 23rd, 2009

If you want to work your abdominal muscles but hate crunches on the floor, you’re in luck because there are so many alternatives to traditional crunches on the floor.  This article outlines 5 of my favorite alternatives to crunches.

When my clients master crunches on the floor, one of the first exercises I teach them from there are crunches on the ball.  So many people actually feel less back strain and neck strain when they use a stability ball for crunches.  One reason for decreased neck strain is that the angle of your body changes when you get off the floor and onto the ball.  If neck discomfort is one reason you hate crunches on the floor try them on the ball and you will notice a significant difference.

Another reason crunches on the ball are a great alternative to crunches on the floor is an increased range of motion through the spine.  When you move through a greater range of motion, you will get increased muscle work in your abdominals.

The second alternative to crunches on the floor is the plank exercise.  The plank exercise is a popular yoga move that has crossed over into fitness.  The plank is an isometric exercise balancing on your elbows and toes.  Isometric simply means that you hold one position for 10-60 seconds.  The plank is great for developing core stability, and it will strengthen your abdominals, shoulder girdle, and hip girdle.

The third alternative to crunches on the floor is seated medicine ball Russian twists.  In the seated twists, your knees are bent and your body is slightly reclined.  By reclining, you engage your abs.  Another benefit of the seated position is that there is very little stress on your neck.  If you are a beginner, it is okay to perform seated twists with no added resistance, or if you’d like a challenge use a medicine ball or weight to this exercise.

The fourth alternative to crunches on the floor is side bends on a 45 degree hyper extension board.  Most gyms have a slanted board that can be used for both back extensions and side bends.  Side bends help to strengthen the obliques and can really challenge your oblique muscles through a large range of motion.  I’d recommend side bends over side crunches on the floor because of the increased range of motion and intensity.

The fifth alternative to crunches is hanging knee raises on a Captain’s Chair.  Again, when you get off the floor you’ll have almost no pressure on the neck.  In order to perform knee raises on the Captain’s Chair you need to have some upper body strength to support yourself, but if you have decent upper body strength you can really focus on your abdominals during this movement.

There are literally thousands of ways to strengthen your abdominals, so if you hate crunches you can still get a great ab workout using the above alternative.  Strong abdominals are so important so don’t let hating crunches stop you from strengthening your core.

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The Chair Workouts

November 22nd, 2009

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If you do not have any workout equipment at home or there is no gym in the office, then do not fret.  There are things around your home and office that can be utilized creatively to help you get your daily dose of fitness.

In almost every place, you can always find a chair.  It is up to your imagination on what other household or work furniture you can use to help you with your exercise routine.  However a chair is quite versatile, thus the chair workouts:1.  Abdominal crunches.  Be careful not to slip when you sit on the edge of a chair.  Secure the position by extending your arms to the back and hold each side of the furniture.  Extend your legs to the front and hold the position.  Tilt your head and shoulder backwards to form a 90-degree angle with your legs extended.  Now, bend your knees to clench your abdominal muscles and then extend your legs back to the front.  This abdominal exercise is better and more effective than the traditional sit-ups.2.  Lateral leg raise.  Hold the back of the chair with one of your arms while standing straight.  With the other arm holding the side of the waist making a 90-degree angle with the elbow, lift the leg to the side and gradually lower it.  With the other leg, perform the leg lift and gradually lower it as well.3.  Triceps dips.  With your back towards the back of the chair, lay your hands on the back of the furniture and hold it.  The back of your hand should be facing the front so as to isolate your triceps muscles.  Gradually lower yourself by bending your knees.  As you lower yourself, your elbows will bend and your arms will almost align with your shoulders.4.  Triceps kickbacks.  Hold the back of the chair with one arm.  The other arm should hold a dumbbell.  Place one knee on the seat of the chair.  The arm holding the chair and the knee on the seat of the chair should be on the same side.  The two should either be right or left side.  Lower your chest so that it is parallel to the ground.  Gradually lift the weight towards your back thus, extending the arm.  Slowly lower the dumbbell thus, bending the elbow to form a 90-degree angle.  Switch arms and knees and workout.It is amazing how we can find another use to already useful objects.  Instead of buying expensive gym equipment or joining a fitness club, why not utilize what we already have?  Aside from the money you can save, you can save space at home or save on gas in going to the fitness center.

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