If you took a poll of the average population of any city, you would find that probably to a good 50% of the respondents replying, belly flab is indeed an issue. They would be all different sizes and ages, and different degrees of of belly flab. In fact, one of the most popular fitness questions asked is, "How do I get rid of my jelly belly?" Let's go over some of the best stomach exercises and talk about why and how they work.
For women who have had children, the news is not disheartening in the least. Although your stomach muscles have been forever changed, you can still have a flat tummy and a toned six-pack to boot if that's what you want to work for. The key here is "work." It does not come easy, and more specifically if you are working around other injuries, it might be hard to find an exercise that works for you. With hard work and determination, however, you can have the stomach you've always dreamed of.
With back problems, it can be painful to do the traditional sit-up or crunch, but there are many variations you can use, which will achieve the same effect. For instance, have you tried instead lowering your legs to just above the ground and then raising them up again? You do not need to hold this pose for a very long time, because the work is actually done in the slow motion up and down. It's all about control of your muscles and where you are focusing the main strength of the exercise--your stomach.
If you like combo exercises that work out more than one body part at a time, try a slide exercise for your midsection. By lifting up into a crunch position, which is not very far up, then you can create the tension you need to tone those abs. Crunch to the left, slide to the right, lay back down. Crunch to the right, slide to the left, lay back down. Repeat that entire process for one set, however many exercises you deem to be a set, usually ten to twelve at a time. For those that are short on workout time, this can save a lot of time as well, since you are cutting out an extra oblique exercise that you would normally do.
Weak back muscles can actually be strengthened by an exercise that works your stomach muscles as well. A plank can be explained like a push-up pose that you just hold. Lay on your elbows and forearms while using your toes to keep your legs straight in line with your back. While you are holding this position, focus on your belly button and "pull" it back with your ab muscles towards your spine. By doing this exercise correctly, you can strengthen your back while working your stomach muscles, and with practice, you will be able to achieve a longer holding time for it.
Not to be left out, the side obliques can also benefit from the plank exercise. Instead of facing the ground when you get ready, just turn to the left or right and use one elbow to hold yourself up. The side of your foot holds your legs up and if you can hold this pose for about 30 seconds, you are doing a lot towards tightening up those side muscles and getting rid of the love handles. Another benefit is that this is a fairly stress-free exercise, requiring only some balance to keep from tipping over.
Fitness magazines and web sites are great resources to get information on how to work certain parts of your body. Many times, they will even have instructional videos that you can watch online and workout routines for all levels, beginner to advanced. If you are an on-demand subscriber, you can work out in your home while watching exercise videos that are made specifically for your mid-section. Tummy flab is a big problem for a lot of people and by doing a little research, it is easy to find help in what would work most effectively for you.
However you attempt to beat it, remember a couple of key things. It takes time and you won't see the results you dream of overnight. You will however feel the results of your workout overnight and that is a great indication that you are headed in the right direction. Keep your eyes on the prize, use the best stomach exercises for your body and fitness personality, and you will reach your goal by doing the right thing for your body.
For women who have had children, the news is not disheartening in the least. Although your stomach muscles have been forever changed, you can still have a flat tummy and a toned six-pack to boot if that's what you want to work for. The key here is "work." It does not come easy, and more specifically if you are working around other injuries, it might be hard to find an exercise that works for you. With hard work and determination, however, you can have the stomach you've always dreamed of.
With back problems, it can be painful to do the traditional sit-up or crunch, but there are many variations you can use, which will achieve the same effect. For instance, have you tried instead lowering your legs to just above the ground and then raising them up again? You do not need to hold this pose for a very long time, because the work is actually done in the slow motion up and down. It's all about control of your muscles and where you are focusing the main strength of the exercise--your stomach.
If you like combo exercises that work out more than one body part at a time, try a slide exercise for your midsection. By lifting up into a crunch position, which is not very far up, then you can create the tension you need to tone those abs. Crunch to the left, slide to the right, lay back down. Crunch to the right, slide to the left, lay back down. Repeat that entire process for one set, however many exercises you deem to be a set, usually ten to twelve at a time. For those that are short on workout time, this can save a lot of time as well, since you are cutting out an extra oblique exercise that you would normally do.
Weak back muscles can actually be strengthened by an exercise that works your stomach muscles as well. A plank can be explained like a push-up pose that you just hold. Lay on your elbows and forearms while using your toes to keep your legs straight in line with your back. While you are holding this position, focus on your belly button and "pull" it back with your ab muscles towards your spine. By doing this exercise correctly, you can strengthen your back while working your stomach muscles, and with practice, you will be able to achieve a longer holding time for it.
Not to be left out, the side obliques can also benefit from the plank exercise. Instead of facing the ground when you get ready, just turn to the left or right and use one elbow to hold yourself up. The side of your foot holds your legs up and if you can hold this pose for about 30 seconds, you are doing a lot towards tightening up those side muscles and getting rid of the love handles. Another benefit is that this is a fairly stress-free exercise, requiring only some balance to keep from tipping over.
Fitness magazines and web sites are great resources to get information on how to work certain parts of your body. Many times, they will even have instructional videos that you can watch online and workout routines for all levels, beginner to advanced. If you are an on-demand subscriber, you can work out in your home while watching exercise videos that are made specifically for your mid-section. Tummy flab is a big problem for a lot of people and by doing a little research, it is easy to find help in what would work most effectively for you.
However you attempt to beat it, remember a couple of key things. It takes time and you won't see the results you dream of overnight. You will however feel the results of your workout overnight and that is a great indication that you are headed in the right direction. Keep your eyes on the prize, use the best stomach exercises for your body and fitness personality, and you will reach your goal by doing the right thing for your body.