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Forum: Advice / Strengthening

Strengthening
Lower Abs en>fr fr>en
By IrishDancer3000 Comments: 182, member since Tue Nov 29, 2005
On Fri Jan 02, 2009 07:58 PM

What are some strengthing exercies to target the lower abb to tone? I do crunches everyday but feel they work just my top abbs. I have like a lady 4 pack lol :P and can't seem to work the lower part of my abb. Thanks for your help!

4 Replies to Lower Abs

re: Lower Abs en>fr fr>en
By TutuU222 Comments: 1250, member since Thu Aug 14, 2008
On Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:03 PM
One thing you can do while lying on your back in the regular "sit-up" position is lift your legs in the air. Keep them in parallel (or you can cross the legs at the ankles if you want). Very slowly and with a controlled movement reach your feet an inch or so up toward the ceiling. This targets all those muscles in the lower abdomen you are talking about. It takes practice to be able to feel the correct muscles and you do not want to lift your legs with any momentum so don't swing your legs upward, but lift -- keep practicing slowly until you can feel it. Do not let go of your muscles or let your stomach "pooch out" while doing this, but try to contract the muscles as you lift. Before long, you should be able to feel it.
re: Lower Abs en>fr fr>en
By MJeanette Comments: 1099, member since Fri Dec 26, 2008
On Sun Jan 04, 2009 03:34 PM
I don't quite understand. Do you lift your lower back off the floor?
re: Lower Abs en>fr fr>en
By Jaimeimadancer Comments: 78, member since Thu Dec 04, 2008
On Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:20 AM
Edited by Jaimeimadancer (204944) on 2009-01-11 00:39:10
Edited by Jaimeimadancer (204944) on 2009-01-11 00:45:29
Edited by Jaimeimadancer (204944) on 2009-01-11 00:46:50
Yes! Reverse crunches also do it. www.ab-core-and-stomach-exercises.com . . .
I would think that leg and knee lifts and their variations do too.
I roll up a shirt (some use a towel or their hands) and put it under the end of my spine to protect my lower back, keeping it flat on the ground when it needs to be. Also, be sure to do exercises for your lower back (the opposing muscle) for muscular balance to prevent injury.
Lower back exercise: Lie on your stomach with your legs straight behind you. Lift your legs UP towards the ceiling and back down to the floor. Repeat up and down, like you're swimming. Or put and your arms straight out above your head and lift your legs and arms or lift one leg up at a time or change the arm and leg being lifted. Vary it. Repeat for at least a 1/3 of the number of repetitions that you did for ab exercises.
You should also try doing leg or knee lifts to the side or side crunches or side sit ups, etc. to work your obliques (muscles on the sides of your stomach). The 1st link has them. It includes 3 pages.

I hope that helps you all!
re: Lower Abs en>fr fr>en
By DancinDiva2005member has saluted, click to view salute photosPremium member Comments: 3947, member since Wed Dec 19, 2001
On Sun Jan 11, 2009 11:26 PM
www.buzzle.com . . .

Here's a good website for you to check out--It lists a bunch of easy at-home exercises you can do, and has descriptions of each.

Basically for your lower abs, its doing just about anything with your feet (leg lifts, leg circles etc), while your upper body is kept still.
And as the instructor in my pilates dvd says..Don't raise your hips off the floor, and don't "shimmy" anywhere when you're doing your exercises. Keep in control of your motions by using your abdominal muscles.

Good luck!

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