Basic Abdominal Exercises to Improve Your Fitness

Good Ab Exercise Routines to Improve Your Core Fitness

That ab muscles are among the most difficult 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 visible. However, there are some ab exercises that can improve your core strength, and these exercises can be done in your own home and with minimum costs. Most of these routines also strengthen your back and waist, so they really are multi-purpose. Here are just two easy abdominal workouts that can be practiced in your home without the need for any equipment.

Ab Exercise 1

This abdominal exercise is great to do if you are new to strengthening your core and are out of shape. It is gentle and simple to do, but effective.

Lie down flat on a bath towel or a small sheet and orientate your body so that your hands are holding the top corners of the towel beside your ears. Then, bend your knees, keeping your feet flat to the ground. Contract your stomach muscles and keep your spine straight, and then take a deep breath while lifting 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 left heel on  the ground until your leg is straight. Then extend your right leg. Do this ten to fifteen times; pulling in and extending your legs, and then lower your upper body back onto the sheet 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 stomach muscles to contract and stay contracted while you stretch your legs. This in turn strengthens your core. It is also a lot more gently on your back or neck as doing stomach crunches. It does take practice though; so don’t be worried if you crash the first few reps.

Abdominal Exercise 2

This abdominal workout takes some practice, but it is great for deep core strengthening exercises. 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, heighten your arms up by your ears and point your fingers out. Hold it for as long as possible. This may sound simple, 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 easy method to tighten your ab muscles, because you are stretching out everything around it. You are also forcing all of your balance on your midsection, which strengthens your core.

Of course, there are many other core strengthening exercises out there, and some need equipment or are best performed in the gym, while others can be done quite nicely at 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.