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