Ab exercises have always been challenging for me. I don't like crunches, especially when the instructor tells me to raise my head and shoulders off the ground. But I'm learning through exercises at the chiropractor's that a good way to strengthen your abs is to focus on the transverse abdominal muscle that wraps around your waist. You can tighten the ab muscles while standing, sitting, walking, or during any activity. To get the feel for this, you can put your hands around your waist and push the sides of your waist out toward your hands. This helps to engage your abs to stabilize your core.
Although ab exercises don't directly build bone like jumping and other weight bearing exercise, strong abs are key to good posture and can protect your back from injury.
A good exercise for strengthening the transverse abdominal muscle is to lie on your back, bring your knees up, with lower legs parallel to the floor, and slowly straighten each leg, one at a time.
Here's an example of leg lifts with a stability ball. As with any exercise, consult with your health care practitioner or personal trainer for advice. Technique, form and recommendations vary.
Although ab exercises don't directly build bone like jumping and other weight bearing exercise, strong abs are key to good posture and can protect your back from injury.
A good exercise for strengthening the transverse abdominal muscle is to lie on your back, bring your knees up, with lower legs parallel to the floor, and slowly straighten each leg, one at a time.
Here's an example of leg lifts with a stability ball. As with any exercise, consult with your health care practitioner or personal trainer for advice. Technique, form and recommendations vary.
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