Abs

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Ab Exercises

While fitness equipment can certainly help tone your abs, there are a variety of exercises you can do without any equipment at all. When training your abs, it's a good idea to break down the abs into three areas: the upper abs (located below the chest), the lower abs (located above the belly button) and the obliques (located on the sides of the waist). Never sacrifice form for added repetitions. It's preferable to perform ab exercises slowly and correctly than training too quickly, which reduces the exercise's impact as well as increases the risk of injury. Remember that whenever you feel any unusual pain while working out, stop exercising immediately and consult a physician. The old axiom No Pain, No Gain can be a fallacy. So whenever you feel pain during an exercise, don't try to work through the pain.

The crunch
The crunch is the most fundamental exercise for the abs. Crunches should be done on a flat surface to protect your lower back from potential strain or injury. Many people use a mat or pad for additional comfort. To perform a proper crunch, lie flat on your back with a slight bend in your knees and your feet flat on the floor about two feet apart. Tilt your pelvis and be sure your start the exercise with your back and butt on the floor. Then cross your hands over your upper chest (or place your hands behind your head if you're more comfortable) and slowly curl your upper body toward your knees. Exhale as your curl your torso up and inhale as you lower your torso back down. Concentrate on isolating your abs during this movement. All of the effort required to curl your torso up should come exclusively from your abs, so don't pull yourself up with your arms behind your neck and don't use your momentum to swing yourself up.

When you've completely curled your upper torso up to your knees, slowly return to the start position and repeat the movement. Don't use the floor or your momentum as a trampoline to bou...