Stomach Exercises: Exercise All-Stars

Do you want to shape your abdomen? If you do then you would be happy to know that there are many stomach exercises that you can perform. You can either take this as a curse or a blessing because there are many stomach exercises but how will you know which ones to perform? In this article you are going to find some of the best exercises for your abdomen as recommended by most fitness experts. Incase you want to start exercising but you do not know where to begin then you can consider this 'all-star team'. Always talk to an expert before you start exercising and make sure that you warm up prior to exercising.

Crunchless Crunch

If you want to tone your front muscles of your abdomen then you need to perform crunches regularly. However, the transverse abdominal muscles will not benefit from it and on top of that you might strain your neck or back. You can, on the other hand, correct this by performing the Crunchless crunch. Basically, this exercise will need you to draw in your belly button towards the spine. Doing this is not easy for everyone for it will involve the use of muscles that you do not have the habit of using. You can begin this exercise by lying down on your stomach or kneel down. It is recommended that you try both these so that you would know which one makes you feel better. Now relax and contract your stomach so that your belly button is drawn towards your spine. Hold it for ten seconds or more. You need to contract the muscles till you can not feel it or until you feel that other muscles are working more proficiently than transverse abdominus.

Hip Lift

Lie down on your back and keep your arms on the sides. Your palms should be facing the ceiling. Lift up your legs so that they are straight and your feet are facing the ceiling. Your knees should be straight. Do not bend them. Pull in your abdomen muscles and at the same time lift your hips from the ground. Your hips should be lifted to a few inches and your legs should be straight and facing in an upward direction. Now lower your hips to the floor and then start again.

Long Arm Crunch

To do this exercise you should remain on the floor. Your knees should be bent and your feet should lie flat on the ground. Lie on your back and stretch your hands up straight. Pull in your abdomen and then gradually lift your shoulders, head and arms from the floor to a thirty degree angle. Maintain this position and then slowly lower your shoulders to the ground. You can repeat doing this exercise. Always keep in mind that your arms should be straight and beside your head.

Few other exercises that you can take up are Pilates, torso twists and vertical leg crunch. Always remember that you can always add more than the above mentioned exercises once you have mastered them! This way you can have a trimmer and flatter abdomen.