Lower Ab Stretch

After doing any stomach exercises it is very important to perform a lower ab stretch. Not only will this help to prevent DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness) but it will also help to ensure that you don’t develop bulk in the abdominal region and that you keep it flat and firm.

One of the best ways to do a lower ab stretch is to simply start by laying on your stomach. Then, slowly press your body upwards using your arm muscles until you feel a slight pull in the bottom portion of your stomach. Note that you shouldn’t push yourself too far with this as you are also contracting your spine and pressing that too far to the extreme is never a smart idea.

Take a few deep breaths in and out while performing this lower ab stretch and then slowly come back down to the floor once again. Repeat the entire process two to three more times.

After finishing, flip over onto your back and pull your legs towards your chest. This will help to curve your back in the opposite direction in case any stress was placed on it while you were bending backward.

Another exercise to perform is a simple side bend. Don’t neglect this exercise thinking that it will only target the side muscles. If you bend sideways and slightly back you will also target the bottom stomach as well. Just be sure you are holding onto something while performing it so you do not lose your balance.

So don’t forget to include either one of these exercises after you perform your stomach strengthening moves. It is a wonderful way to cool down after a hard workout.

Lower Ab Exercise

Performing some lower ab exercises as part of your regular strength training routine is a very smart move. This section of the body is largely responsible for maintaining the alignment of your back and preventing lower back pain. Doing a lower ab exercise that teaches you to maintain focus on this portion of your back is going to be your best bet because most people are not even aware of whether or not they are maintaining proper posture and if they are using their ab muscles to control this part of the body.

The best lower ab exercise to perform for this is simply lying on the floor, back down. Then, bend the knees so they are slightly bent and your feet are flat on the floor, arms down by your sides. After doing this, simply pretend that there is a string that is pulling your back through the floor. While thinking that, simultaneously think of trying to press the lower back into the floor as much as possible by squeezing the bottom portion of this muscle. If you stick your hand under your back by this area it should feel completely tight, with no space between it and the floor. Hold this position for 30 seconds or so and then relax. Remember to breath while you are doing it but think about moving your lungs up and down rather than straight out. This will also teach you the proper breathing technique that you should be using while exercising or just in general (breathing in this way tends to lift the body and improve the posture).

So make sure you do not neglect this aspect of the body with your training. While it may be a small muscle, the bottom stomach muscles are essential for proper functioning of the body.

Lower abs workouts

Its worth developing some effective lower ab workouts as most people when thinking about their mid-section, most individuals always seem to have a hang-up with their lower abs.

They often wonder what type of exercises will target the lower abs specifically and why they can never seem to lose that last little bit of fat that just clings on there.

First off for an effective lower abs workout, the key to having good lower abs is going to be getting to a respectably low body fat level. This is going to be best accomplished through your diet and a proper weight training and cardio routine. Do not over look the importance of weight training when it comes to getting low body fat levels as it is going to significantly increase your metabolism. Diet however, definitely trumps any form of exercise. If this is not in line, your hopes of getting a lean mid-section are likely unrealistic.

The next thing for a lower abs workout is you need to know is that the stomach muscles are not broken up into portions as some people believe. There are not going to be specific exercises that work only this muscle or only that, they will work as a unit altogether to achieve whatever movement you are trying to execute. While you can definitely target one area slightly more, it is impossible to isolate them completely.

Furthermore, doing an excessive amount of stomach strengthening exercises, as many do because they believe this is key to developing their coveted ’six pack’, is not a good approach because it will make the waist appear much thicker. It is highly likely you are not going for a wider appearance, regardless of whether the muscles show or not, so be smart with your approach and limit the number of exercises you do to avoid this problem.

The exercises which you should include would be leg raises, reverse crunches (bringing the knees to the chest) and the ‘plank’ exercise. This last one in particular is really good as it teaches you to pull your stomach in tight which is exactly what you want when looking for a firm, toned middle.

So don’t let those midsection myths allude you, focus on your diet and the rest of your training. Do that properly and before you know it, the bottom portion of your stomach will be looking great.