Try Home Ab Exercises

Everyone wants a set of great abs, especially during the summer. A lot of people spend exurbanite amounts of money on expensive gyms and trainers, only to be unable to find the time or motivation to get to the gym. Many people are unaware that they can achieve strong, defined abs right at home in there living room. There are plenty of at home ab exercises that professional trainers use that you can learn on your own.

Most trainers and athletes would agree that the best exercises for strengthening the ab muscles are crunches. Crunches are one of the easiest ab exercises you can do at home, and most of us learn to do them as children in Phys Ed. class. To properly perform a crunch, start by laying on your back on the floor, feet on the floor, knees bent and arms crossed over your chest. You may also wish to put your fingers behind your head or on your neck to support the weight of your head, but it is important not to pull on your head with your arms while performing this ab exercise. Next, bring your body forward, curling upwards to bend yourself into a tight 'V' shape. Slowly lower yourself back to the starting position and repeat.

Another very popular home ab exercise is the exercise ball crunch. This is a variation of the crunch performed by lying back on an exercise ball rather than on the ground. Using the ball helps support your back and neck, allowing you to really focus on using your ab muscles to lift you up. It is important to practice by performing the crunch slowly to learn how to complete the exercise without moving the ball. You'll find in time that you'll be able to perform more crunches in less time than you would doing them on the floor.

For people who feel a lot of strain on their neck and back while performing traditional crunches, the reverse crunch (sometimes known as a V-up), may be a could alternative home ab exercise. Start the reverse crunch by lying on the floor and raising your legs in the air. Then rather than bend up towards your legs, slowly drop your legs back towards your chest, tightening you ab muscles to control the movement.. It is important to perform this ab exercise slowly or your muscles will not have the opportunity to engage. This home ab exercise has the same desired effect as the traditional crunch, but is less strenuous.

As home ab exercise becomes more popular, some companies are introducing ab exercise machines and tools. Usually, these home ab exercise machines consist of flimsy frames that claim to help you take strin off for head and back and make your crunches "more effective." These machines can range in price from $20 to $500 depending on size and material. However, research has shown that there is little difference between the benefits of using these new at home ab exercise machines and doing traditional ab exercises using proper form.

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