Abdominal Muscles - How to Exercise Your Abs

Design an Effective Abdominal Exercise Routine

Crunch on the Exercise Ball

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Tips for Designing an Effective Abdominal Exercise Routine

• Select 5 to 10 exercises that combine:
  1. Spinal flexion - such as:
     • Ab Crunch on an Exercise Ball
     • Long Arm Crunch
     • Reverse Crunch
     • Basic Crunch
     • Captain's Chair
  2. Rotation - such as:
     • Bicycle Crunch
     • Seated Oblique Twists with Medicine Ball
  3. Lateral Flexion - such as:
     • Crossover Crunch
     • Standing Side Bends
• Perform 10 repetitions of each exercise and move to the next exercise.
• Change your exercise routine every 2 to 3 weeks.
• Maintain good form with each muscle contraction.
• Contract your abs and pull your belly button in toward your spine with each contraction.
• Maintain a slow and controlled movement.
• Support your head when you need to, but don't pull on your head or pull your chin to your chest.

• Abdominal Muscles - Where They Are and How They Work
• Abdominal Muscles - The Rectus Abdominis
• Abdominal Muscles - The External Obliques
• Abdominal Muscles - The Internal Obliques
• Abdominal Muscles - The Transversus Abdominis
• The Hip Flexors
• Design an Effective Abdominal Exercise Routine
• Great Ab Exercises To Try