The abdominal muscles sit on the front and sides of the lower half
of the torso, originating along the rib cage and attaching along the pelvis.
The Abdominals are composed of several muscles:
• Rectus Abdominus (Flex the spine bringing the rib cage closer to the pelvis).
This is seen in the abdominal crunching movement.
• Transverse Abdominus(Acts as a natural weight belt,
keeping your insides in). This muscle is essential for trunk stability.
• External Obliques (Work to rotate the torso and stabilize the abdomen).
• Internal Obliques(Work to rotate the torso and stabilize the abdomen).
Best Ab Exercises:
The Captain's Chair: This ab exercise is often overlooked.
It is an advanced abdominal exercise, therefore it is very important
that you keep your lower back stable. Do not arch your back during
this exercise. If you can't do it correctly, then you shouldn’t do it at all.
Stand on a chair and grip the handles to stabilize your upper body.
Press your back against the pad and slowly lift knees towards your chest.
Again, make sure to keep your lower back firmly in place - otherwise you
won't be strengthening your abs, but your hip muscles.
You should also feel the tightening and burning in your abs after a few reps.
If you don't, you're probably not doing the exercise properly.
For more info, download Abdominal Exercises, a free ebook.
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