A recent study has ranked the effectiveness of various abs and waist exercises. Results show that you can have a great abs exercise program with very simple equipment.
#1 Abs Exercise Tip - Abs are important
Abs and waist exercises are the key to strong core muscles. The two major abdominal muscle groups are the rectus abdominus and the obliques.
The obliques stabilize the torso - particularly while running, jumping and landing. The obliques maintain a strong pelvic and spinal position.
The rectus abdominus is where your "six pack" is hiding - these are the two parallel muscles - your anterior or "front side" abdominal wall.
Abs Exercise and Torsional Strength
Strong obliques and rectus abdominus muscles support the spine and provide the torsional "twist" that is vital to good running form. This is the foundation of
chi running
- using strong core muscles to achieve endurance and speed. Ever noticed that it's more tiring to run on packed snow or ice? The slight slipping of the feet on a slick surface increases the work of the abs, particularly the rectus abdominus. So, if you strengthen your abs your running is more effortless!
Classic style cross country skiing is a great cross training workout for your abs. That torsional twisting you notice in running is greatly exaggerated in cross country skiing as you work to pick up your pace - effective gliding gives cross country skiing efficiency and speed - and your abs benefit when you work on your glide.
You'll find that your abs can really get sore as you get into your cross country workout. That's a good thing! Just don't over do it!
Effective abs and waist exercise
Peter Francis, Ph.D., conducted a study rating the effectiveness of abs exercise at the Biomechanics Lab at San Diego State University. Dr. Francis tracked muscular activity by using
electromyography.
The study produced good new for budget exercisers: the most effective abs and waist exercise used no fancy equipment. You really can do it yourself without fancy exercise gear! All you need is a good abs exercise program.
Top 10 - Flat Abs Exercises
Here's San Diego's top abdominus rectus exercises:
1. Bicycle maneuver 2. Captain's chair 3. Crunches on exercise ball 4. Vertical leg crunch 5. Torso Track 6. Long arm crunch 7. Reverse crunch 8. Crunch with heel push 9. Ab Roller 10. Hover
And for your alternate days, Dr. Francis suggests these top 10 exercises for the obliques:
1. Captain's chair 2. Bicycle maneuver 3. Reverse crunch 4. Hover 5. Vertical leg crunch 6. Crunch on exercise ball 7. Torso Track 8. Crunch with heel push 9. Long arm crunch 10. Ab Roller
The inexpensive abs exercise ball is featured in both lists, and you can make your own captain's chair if you're handy. Commercial products do appear on the list like the Ab Roller and Torso Track, and you can add those to your routine if you desire.
Spark's flat abs exercise routine
Spark People has a great abs routine incorporating several of these most effective exercises. Here's the video - this is a fifteen minute set of abs exercises that's a real workout!
Most Effective Abs and Waist Exercises
Don't forget your most effective flat abs exercise includes "pushing away from the table"!
Here's the deal: You know abs exercises strengthen your core, improve your running, protect and align your hips and spine. You know abs exercises are effective for your sports performance: pain free running, faster times, and longer distance.
Your strong core muscles make running and many related exercises like cross country skiing easier and faster. Strong core muscles protect you from injury.
But if you want to people to actually see you strong core - your six pack abs! - you need to shed that abdominal fat. That's where the
abs diet exercise
discipline comes in. Like the best abs exercises you don't need to spend a fortune on a low fat diet - you just need to do it! And when you do, you won't be disappointed with the results.
Strong core muscles at any age are what we want, and - well - if you have it you might as well flaunt it!
Low fat protein diet plans
really help "expose" all your hard work. Plan your diet right, and you'll really see the benefits of your abs and waist exercises!