Abs to Try

Here are 6 ab routines you can try at home.

Core exercises build abs and other core muscles

Core exercises strengthen your core muscles, including abs, back and pelvis. Why bother with core exercises? Strong core muscles make it easier to do most physical activities.

You can do core exercises on a carpeted floor or mat. Breathe freely and deeply during each exercise. Focus on tightening your deepest abdominal muscle — the transversus abdominis — during each exercise. This is the muscle you feel contracting when you cough.

Repeat each of the following core exercises five times. Gradually build up to 10 to 15 repetitions as your strength improves.

Abdominal crunch

Abdominal crunches are a classic core exercise:

• Lie on your back and place your feet on a wall so that your knees and hips are bent at 90-degree angles. Tighten your abdominal muscles.
• Raise your head and shoulders off the floor. To avoid straining your neck, cross your arms on your chest rather than locking them behind your head. Hold for three deep breaths.
• Return to the start position and repeat.

Bridge

To work various core muscles in combination, try a bridge:

• Lie on your back with your knees bent (A). Keep your back in a neutral position, not arched and not pressed into the floor. Avoid tilting your hips. Tighten your abdominal muscles.
• Raise your hips off the floor until your hips are aligned with your knees and shoulders (B). Hold for three deep breaths.
• Return to the start position and repeat.
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Single-leg abdominal press

The single-leg abdominal press is another popular core exercise:

• Lie on your back with your knees bent (A). Keep your back in a neutral position, not arched and not pressed into the floor. Avoid tilting your hips. Tighten your abdominal muscles.
• Raise your right leg off the floor so that your knee and hip are bent at 90-degree angles. Rest your right hand on top of your right knee (B).
• Push your hand against your knee while using your abdominal muscles to pull your knee toward your hand. Keep your arm straight. Hold for three deep breaths.
• Return to the start position and repeat using your left hand and left knee.
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Single-leg abdominal press variations

To work your core muscles more completely, try variations of the single-leg abdominal press:

• Opposite hand on opposite knee. Push your right hand against your left knee while pulling your knee toward your hand (A). You'll be pushing and pulling across the center of your body. Hold for three deep breaths. Repeat using your other hand and leg.
• Hand on outside of knee. Place your left hand along the side of your left knee (B). Use your hand to push your leg inward. At the same time, create resistance by pushing your knee away from the center. Hold for three deep breaths. Repeat using your other hand and leg.

found at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/core-strength/SM00047&slide=1