Strong To The Core of Your Being
by Nick Nilsson
-When you reach about 25 to 30 degrees above horizontal, hold
there for a second or two and squeeze your abs hard.
-Keep your lower back in contact with the towel at all times
and always maintain tension in the abs.
-Lower yourself down slowly and under control. Do not just drop
back to the ground. The negative portion of this exercise is
extremely effective.
-Remember to adjust your arm position depending on the strength
of your abs (see above).
You can see pictures of how this exercise is done by going to:
http://www.fitstep.com/Misc/Newsletter-archives/issue9-ab-tip.htm
Incline Ab Sit-Ups
If you are a beginning trainer, this is a good starting variation of the Abdominal Sit-up.
Set an incline sit-up board to a slight incline. If you don't have an incline sit-up board, you can use an adjustable incline bench, a decline bench, a Step platform with a riser under one of the ends or a flat bench with something under one end. You can even use a propped-up 2 x 6 board!
Your head should be on the higher end with your feet placed on the floor.
The execution is exactly the same. The only difference is that the tension on the abs is much less due to the greatly improved leverage in this position, allowing even people feel that their abs aren’t strong enough to do the exercise.
Lying Superman Raises - An Exercise For The Lower Back
Though this exercise has a rather unique name, it is an excellent strengthening exercise for the lower back that you can do almost anywhere.
How To Do It:
Lie face down on the floor with your arms stretched out directly overhead (like Superman flying, hence the name).
Raise your left arm and right leg into the air at the same time, also raising your chest slightly off the floor. Hold there for a second and squeeze the muscles of your lower back. Lower your limbs back to the ground then raise your right arm and left leg and hold for a second.
You can push down with the hand that is on the ground to help raise your other arm and chest higher off the ground.
This exercise, even though it only uses your limbs as resistance, provides an excellent way to strengthen the lower back muscles.
Conclusion:
These two exercises will give you a good place to start with core training. You can begin improving your core strength by doing these exercises 3 times a week for 2 to 3 sets each.
Make core training a priority in your exercise routine and you will rapidly reap the benefits of having a stronger, more injury-proof midsection and back.
If you have any questions about core training or the exercises described here, go to:
http://www.fitstep.com/Misc/Contactus.htm
Go to Page 1
BIO:
Nick Nilsson is Vice President of BetterU, Inc., an online exercise, fitness, and personal training company. Check out his latest eBook "The Best Exercises You've Never Heard Of" at http://www.thebestexercises.com or visit http://www.fitstep.com. You can contact him at betteru@fitstep.com or subscribe to BetterU News, his fitness newsletter at betterunews@fitstep.com.
Some Aditional Articles you may enjoy
What Causes Bad Breath Anyway?
by Thuvarakan TharmalingamWhat is Meditation?
by Robert Elias NajemyOverall Risk of Cancer Cut By 37%...
by Warren J. MatthewsA True Hero is Gone but will not be Forgotten
by Louis VictorDivine Food for Divine Beauty
by Tonya Zavasta
Click a Number to go to an article index page
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39