Lower Ab Workout get advice before starting
December 30, 2010 by kimkitch
Filed under Muscle Building Tips
If you are searching for a way to get a great lower ab workout then it’s vital that you get the right advice. You will find many different types of advice on what are the best ab work outs but a number of them may lead to possible issues in the future.
Lower ab workout routines are different from your normal muscle training as you have to do several types of physical exercises with only a little rest in between. There are a couple of exercises which are the most commonly recommended and they are the ab crunches and leg raises.
You will probably find it tough when you initially start your exercise program but the one thing you must not do is give up. The art to obtaining a toned body is by performing a good ab work out day in day out. Yes you will probably hurt and ache in places you didn’t event know you had but it is just your bodies way of telling you that these are the places you must work on to get toned up.
Building your stomach muscles may also aid you if you’re struggling with lower back pain, although your focus should not just be on these. Strengthening your lower back muscles as well will add stability into the lower part of your body.
If your back muscles are weak you then place so much more strain on that part of your body if you only concentrate on working your stomach muscles. You must understand that your body is linked like a chain and each of the parts need to work together in order for you to move efficiently. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link so to get the optimum benefit from your training program all necessary parts of your body should be worked.
When you look at the way your lower body works, the back muscles pull your spine backwards and your stomach pulls the spine forward therefore if either stomach or back muscles are weak then pain in the lower back will occur. If both your stomach and back muscles have been worked then your spine should remain in the right position and your posture will remain upright.
Ideally you will get a personal trainer who will set you up a program for a good lower ab workout, but you may also find some good programs which you can follow in your own home. If you want to take it slow then it is probably wise to pick up a home course for a small fee and then progress onto getting a personal trainer or going to the gym after you have decided to take things to the next level.
Swiss Ball Ab Exercises a beginners guide
December 29, 2010 by kimkitch
Filed under Muscle Building Tips
If you want to do Swiss Ball Ab Exercises you need to take advice before attempting any sort of exercise program with this ball. When you are starting out with your Swiss Ball Ab Exercises there are 7 recommended ways to use the ball. These are very beneficial if you are looking for a good Lower Ab Workout.
The following list is a guide only as you should always take professional advice before starting any exercise program especially if you are suffering from any sort of injury or back pain.
1: The Shoulder Roll – These can be done by placing the ball underneath your shoulder and rolling between 6-8 inches to the left and then do the same to the right. You should do these about 10 times on each side.
2: The Back Arch – Place the ball in the middle of your back with your arms down by your sides. Bend your knees and then reach out with your arms and touch the ground above your head. You need to hold this position for approximately 10 seconds and then slowly return to your starting position. You should be able to do this up to 5 times but I would leave it at that until you become a more advanced user.
3: The Leg Extensions – To do these you need to lay on the ball making sure that it is in the middle of your back. Starting off with both legs bent straighten your left leg and hold it for 5 seconds, then repeat this with your right leg. You should be able to repeat this up to 10 times with each leg.
4: The Back Raises – Start off by lying on the ball on your stomach with your hands on the ground. Slowly arch your shoulders and raise your hands off of the ground, then arch your back up as high as is comfortable. You then return to your original position and then start the process again. You should be able to do this 10 times.
5: The Sit backs – You need to be careful when doing this exercise as it involves having a good balance. Sit on the ball and using your arms to help you balance, slowly lean backwards and raise your legs up off of the floor. Hold this for about 5 seconds and then return to your original position. This can be repeated 5 times.
6: The Forward Leans – Position your stomach on the swiss ball and then lean forward using your arms to keep balance. You then need to raise your legs as high as you comfortably can and hold for about 5 seconds. Again this can be repeated 5 times.
7: The Leg Raises – Lay your stomach on the ball and raise your left leg as high as you can for 5 seconds, then repeat with your right leg. You should be able to do this 10 times for each leg.
There are more advanced Swiss Ball Ab Exercises that you can try, but for starters you should just concentrate on the ones listed above.

