Abdominal Exercises to Improve Your Core Fitness

That ab muscles are among the most grueling places to target when you are exercising. Abs are hard to deal with; there aren’t many efficient exercises and, in order to get muscles showing, you have to not only work out, but also diet, or else any muscles you build will just be covered in fat and not be seen. However, there are some ab exercises that can build your core strength, and these workouts can be done in your own home and with minimum costs. Many of these routines also strengthen your back and waist, so they truly are multi-purpose. Here are just two basic ab workouts that can be practiced at home without the need for any equipment at all.

Ab Exercise 1

This abdominal workout is good to do if you are new to core strength workouts and are out of shape. It is gentle and easy to do, but effective.

Lie flat on a bath towel or a small sheet and orientate your body so that your hands are gripping the top corners of the sheets by your ears. Next, bend your knees, keeping your feet flat to the floor. Contract your ab muscles and keep your back straight, and then take a deep breath and lift your head, neck and shoulders off the floor. Hold this position, using the towel for support. Let out your breath, and at the same time slide your right heel on  the floor 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.

How the exercise works? This workout forces your ab muscles to contract and stay taut while you stretch your legs. This in turn strengthens your core muscles. It is also a lot more gently on your spine or neck as doing stomach crunches. It does take practice though; so don’t be worried if you crash the first few times.

Abdominal Exercise 2

This ab exercise takes some practice, but it is good for deep exercises of the core. Lie on your back 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, raise your arms up by your ears and point your fingers out. Hold it for as long as possible. This may sound basic, but it really takes some practice and you may have to try it with your arms down initially.

How the exercise works? This exercise is an basic way to tighten your abdominal muscles, because you are stretching out everything around it. You are also pushing all of your balance on your midsection, which strengthens your core muscles.

Of course, there are many other ab strengthening exercises out there, and some of them require equipment or are best done in the fitness centre, while others can be completed simply in your home and in privacy. Strengthening your core does not have to be difficult, but it does require commitment. Core strength plays a pivotal role maintaining the body’s balance and internal strength so get fit and feel great. Besides, it will be worth it when your abdominals 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.

Tags: Ab Exercises, Ab Muscles, Ab Workouts, Abdominal Exercises, Abdominal Workout, Back Pain, Bath Towel, Core Muscles, Core Strength, Deep Breath, Exercise 1, Exercise Routines, Knees, Left Leg, Legs, Multi Purpose, Rsquo, Shoulders, Spine, Stomach Crunches