| There are plenty of stomach exercises out the for | | | | contraction out. |
| those who want to shape their core and strengthen | | | | Hip Lift |
| their midsection. This may be both a blessing and a | | | | Remain on your back for this stomach exercise. Put |
| curse. It is easy to find plenty of exercises and routines | | | | your arms at your sides with palms facing up to the |
| that work the midsection, but how does one know | | | | ceiling. Put your legs straight up in the air so that the |
| which ones are any good? Well, listed here are what | | | | soles of your feet are facing the ceiling and your legs |
| appear to be some of the best around, according to | | | | make about a ninety degree angle with your torso. |
| recommendations by fitness experts. If you want to | | | | Keep your knees unbent and as straight as possible. |
| work on your stomach, but are not sure where to | | | | Now, contract your ab muscles so that it feels like |
| start, then this "all-star team" may be a good jumping | | | | your belly button is being pulled toward your spine, |
| off point. As with any workout routine, be sure to | | | | while at the same time gently lifting your hips off the |
| consult a professional before beginning and always | | | | floor. Raise your hips to height of a few inches, |
| warm up properly to avoid injury. | | | | keeping your legs extended straight upward. Hold this |
| Crunchless Crunch | | | | position, then slowly lower your hips back to the floor. |
| Regular crunches are great for working the rectus | | | | Repeat for an entire set. |
| abdominus (the muscles at the front of your stomach), | | | | Long Arm Crunch |
| but they do very little for the transverse abdominal | | | | For this stomach exercise, remain on the floor with |
| muscles deeper in the midsection, plus they tend to put | | | | your knees bent and feet flat. Lie back and extend |
| strain on your back and neck. This first exercise | | | | your arms straight back on the floor as though you |
| corrects that, working the transverse muscles with no | | | | are reaching above your head. Contract your abs and |
| back or neck strain. Essentially, it involves trying to pull | | | | slowly lift your arms, head and shoulders off the floor |
| the belly button in towards the spine. This can be tricky, | | | | to about a thirty degree angle. Hold it, then slowly |
| as it involves using muscles which you may not be | | | | lower your shoulders back to the floor. Repeat for an |
| used to activating. To start, either lie or on your | | | | entire set. Be careful not to lead with your arms, |
| stomach or kneel. You might want to try both ways | | | | keeping them straight and alongside your head. |
| and see which helps you feel the exercise better. | | | | Some other honorable mentions include the vertical leg |
| Relax your body as much as possible, then try to use | | | | crunch, torso twists, and any Pilates routine that |
| only the lower abdominals to move your belly button | | | | emphasizes the core. Feel free to research some of |
| toward your spine. Hold for ten seconds. If holding for | | | | these exercises more once you have mastered the |
| ten seconds feels easy, hold for a longer period. The | | | | three above. Now that you are armed with some of |
| goal is to hold the contraction until you either cannot | | | | the better stomach exercises, you are on your way to |
| feel it, or you feel other muscles working harder than | | | | a trimmer tummy! |
| the transverse abdominus. When you feel this, let the | | | | |