Often exercise routines for the stomach neglect to work individual abdominal muscles in addition to working them as a group. A targeted lower abdominal workout, for example, is often needed for individual attention to the lower abs in order to develop them to the full potential.

There are many exercises designed specifically for working the lower stomach muscles. Before beginning these, be sure to consult with a professional and make sure to include a warm up to avoid injury.

Lower Abdominal Workout Exercise #1 : Crunchless Crunch

The crunchless crunch sounds simpler than it is. When done properly, this can be a difficult but effective exercise for toning the lower stomach muscles.

The muscles used in this exercise are not used often and it may take some getting used to in order for it to work.

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The goal is to try to pull the belly button inwards toward the spine. Lie on the stomach on a flat surface or kneel on all fours, whichever is most comfortable.

Relax and the let body become as fluid as possible. Using only the stomach muscles attempt to pull the naval in towards the spine.

Hold for a period of ten seconds. If ten seconds is simple, increase the time.

The position should be held until it can’t be felt or it feels like other muscles are doing the work, once this is achieved, released the contraction.

Lower Abdominal Workout Exercise #2 : Alternating Toe Touch

For this exercise, lie on a flat surface, such as the floor, and use an exercise mat or towel to support the spine.

While lying flat, the feet are put into the air. Use the stomach muscles to lift the shoulders off the floor with the right arm extended. Touch the toes with the right hand and then lower back to the starting position.

Repeat using the left arm extended to touch the right toes.

During this exercise, the knees should be kept in alignment and a space should be held open between the chin and chest to insure that the stomach muscles are doing the work.

Lower Abdominal Workout Exercise #3 : Sit-Up Hold

Remain on the floor for this abdominal exercise. Place the hands behind the head and bend the knees while keeping feet flat on the floor. Elbows should not be seen, keep them behind not beside the head.

Lift the shoulders off the floor using the lower abdominal muscles. Hold the position for at least ten seconds or even longer if ten is too easy. Do not use the arms or neck to help lift, make the stomach muscles do the work.

Hold for ten seconds and then repeat.

Lower Abdominal Workout Exercise #4 : Lower Back Flatten

This exercise is an evolution of the sit-up hold. It starts from the same position – flat on the floor with bent knees and flat feet.

In this exercise the goal is to push the lower back into the floor, closing the natural gap that is created by the curve of the spine. This should be done using the stomach muscles, not the legs.

The pelvic area may rotate which is not wrong as long as the stomach muscles are doing the work.

After getting the back pushed down to the floor, hold for ten or more seconds, the time held will gradually build as the stomach muscles strengthen.

This entire lower abdominal workout should take no more than about 10 mins and should be performed about 3-4 times a week for the best results.  

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Ab machines are hot pieces of exercise equipment. With nearly everyone who is interested in their appearance is on the quest for a flat abdomen. This makes the market for ab workout machine equipment wide open for products. But, just what is the best ab workout machine, not the most popular but the best in terms of results.

The following machines have shown definite results and should be considered when looking into abdominal fitness equipment.

Swiss Balls

The first one on the list isn’t actually a machine; it is a stability ball, now known as a Swiss ball. Not only are they much less expensive than bulky machines, they also provide an excellent workout for the core muscles.

Using the Swiss ball when doing crunches, leg lifts, back arches and a host of other exercises increases the body’s strength, endurance and overall fitness. The abdominal muscles receive a workout and calories are burned in the process.

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Ab workout machines targeted for home use are typically designed to eliminate strain on the neck and back while the user is doing crunches. Some of the best rated machines, as reviewed by fitness experts, are described below. However, it still needs to be reiterated that nothing replaces a combination of diet and exercise, although these machines can be very helpful.

Ab Works by Nordic Track

One of the most highly recommended ab workout machines is Ab Works by Nordic Track. This machine is more costly than some of the other models but out ranks the other models in terms of results.

Ab Works offers variable resistance for increasing the workout according to fitness level. It also has leg resistance and full back support. It comes with a video and booklet containing 15 exercises and works for all skill levels.

Assembly is simple and the machine comes with excellent instructions for putting it together. The only down side noted is the price, however, some things are worth paying a little more for than others.

This machine requires some conditioning and learning to perfect the exercises. On the other hand, it is the most comfortable of the home ab machines and offers the best back support.

BodyShaping Ab Blaster Plus

Another ab workout machine that is recommended by the fitness reviewers is the BodyShaping Ab Blaster Plus.  This machine comes from the BodyShaping fitness program that airs on ESPN. The machine is easy to assemble and can be folded for storage when not in use. It comes with a video but no booklet. The headrest rotates for support regardless of movement, overall comfort is rated good.

The reviewers gave the Ab Blaster Plus a recommended rating with the only noted downside being that the feet of the machine are slippery, a minor detail overcome by placing traction pads beneath the foot stands.

These reviews clearly show that the Swiss ball is the best abdominal exercise machine for the home. It is inexpensive, works a range of muscles and provides excellent abdominal results. Of course, no matter what ab workout machine is picked for the home none of them will yield results unless they are put to use and you follow an overall health and fitness routine.

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A 6 Pack Ab Workout is the talk of any local gym or fitness center and a perfect six is the goal that many bodybuilders strive for, it is also the goal of many people who are just striving to have that rippled body that completes their physical appearance.

The concept might seem simple, lose body fat while strengthening the abdominal muscles, however, making those words a reality are another story all together. It can be done, with the right amount of dedication, willpower and some serious patience, a six pack of abs can become your reality.

The following 6 pack ab workout and advice will help get that six pack of abs by building muscle. Remember that you must also lose fat so follow a proper diet to burn calories. Also remember to warm up before starting any exercise routine and consult a professional for advice.

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Intermediate 6 Pack Ab Workout Exercise #1 – Crunches

Lie on the floor, if necessary use a mat or towel to soften the floor. Place your arms across your chest, not over your head – this makes is harder to use them for leverage.

Raise the shoulders and upper torso off the floor and towards your knees using your abdominal muscles. Keep in mind that you need to focus on keeping the abdominals tight during the crunch.

Also do not let the head touch the floor when returning to the lying position.

Repeat for 10-15 reps and for 3 sets.

Intermediate 6 Pack Ab Workout Exercise #2 – Leg lifts

Lie down on the floor with your legs straight out and your hands at your side. Keeping the body in a straight alignment, lift both legs straight up in the air until they are as close as possible to ninety degrees.

Next, lower the legs slowly but do not let them go all the way back to the floor. Again, concentrate on pulling the abdominal muscles in tight during the move and move slowly.

If you are in the gym, try the same exercise using the equipment there that allows you to pull yourself up and extend your legs out. A pull-up bar will also work.

Repeat for 10-12 reps and for 3 sets.

Intermediate 6 Pack Ab Workout Exercise #3 – V-Ups

Lie on the floor again in a straight out position with your arms extended up above your head. Raise both the torso and the legs at the same time to form a "V". 

Hold the position for five to ten seconds while concentrating on keeping the abdominal muscles contracted.

Try reaching your feet with your hands. Relax and return to the starting position.  As this exercise gets easier you can add weights to your feet to make it harder and increase the workout on your muscles.

Repeat for 10-12 reps and for 2-3 sets.

Intermediate 6 Pack Ab Workout Exercise #4 – Static Hold and Side Statics

Position yourself in the pushup position; however, put your elbows on the floor and the rest of the body flat.

This is what is known as the static hold and it trains the core muscles to hold the body in the position you put it in. Hold the position as long as you can at least 45 -50 seconds for beginners.

The side static hold is similar. Roll over onto one side of the body and lift into the same position as you did for the static hold. The free arm should be pointed upwards into the air and the leg that is not bearing weight should be resting on top of the other one. Again, hold as long as possible.

There are many other six pack ab exercises that you can do, but this 6 Pack Ab workout should get you good results. Do this routine 3-5 times a week.

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An abdominal workout is an important part of any fitness routine. They strengthen and tone the abdominal muscles, sometimes referred to as the core, and they make the body lean and physically attractive.

In addition to the abdominal exercises here, a proper diet is required to obtain the best abs possible. For the best results, the abdominal workout should be done 3-5 times weekly with repetitions increased as the body adjusts to the current count. 

As with any fitness program, consult a professional before starting and always do warm-up exercises before starting to lessen the chance of injury.

This abdominal workout is designed for beginners and is a good lower abdominal workout.

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Abdominal Workout Exercise 1 : Pelvic Tilt

Lie on your back, use a towel or mat for cushioning. Bend the knees and keep feet flat on the floor approximately hip width apart.

Relax the head and neck muscles with your hands by your side. Contract the abdominal muscles pulling the belly button in towards the spine, while doing this lift your pelvis off the floor and hold for three seconds.

Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat ten to fifteen times.

Note that the key to the pelvic tilt is to hold the abdominal muscles tight while lifting the pelvic off the ground. The movement should be a slow, deliberate movement.

Abdominal Workout Exercise 2 : Knee Raises

Starting again from the lying down position with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, keep the back pressed into the floor.

Relax the head and the neck and put your hands by your side. Using slow movements, concentrate on contracting the abdominal muscles as you bring one knee in as far as it can go, stop at the top and hold the position. 

Repeat on the other leg. Once both legs are back at position, you have completed one rep. Try to do 10-20 reps.

Abdominal Workout Exercise 3 :Reverse Crunches

While lying on you back, press your back into the floor. Relax your head and neck and put your hands by your sides with your palms face down. Bend your knees to 90 degrees.

Next, focus on contracting the lower abdominal muscles as you raise your hips upwards towards your ribs, very slowly lifting the tailbone off the floor in a curved motion.

As you complete each rep your legs will wind up reaching towards the ceiling. Lower the hips back to the starting position. This counts as one rep.

The key to the reverse crunch is to make the abdominal muscles do the work and not the legs. Don’t stop and rest at the end of the rep, keep moving to keep the muscle working; however, don’t rock the body or move so fast that momentum takes over and does the work.

This is a good abdominal workout for beginners that will work the abdominal muscles. It should be done at the least three times a week. Pay attention to your body, when the exercise becomes to easy it is time to either increase the reps or move onto an intermediate routine.
 

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People tend to be confused about the benefits of low carb food diet. It is unheard of to be able to eat lots of fats and proteins, foods typically considered off-limits in a diet program, and still lose weight in the process. It is true that weight can be lost while eating proteins and fats.

Low carb diet plans restrict the amount of carbohydrates the body intakes, a stark contrast to the typical diet plan of most people. The body uses carbohydrates to store energy therefore, if the body is deprived of an energy source it turns to fat cells and burns them. This causes the body to produce what is known as ketones, a by-product of the kidneys converting fat to a waste product that is then eliminated.

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There are many versions of the low carb food diet, each one varying in the amount of carbs that are allowed. They all share in one main point and that is the elimination of white processed carbohydrates and starchy foods.

Most low carbohydrate diets allow up to twenty grams of carbs per day from an approved list. The approved list contains non-starchy vegetables and salads or leafy vegetables. This is typically the initial stage of the diet plan and as the program progresses; carbs are added back into the diet in increments.

In recent years, a new form of the low carbohydrate diet has become popular; it is called the Glycemic Index or Low GI diet. This diet plan is based on how various carbohydrates affect the insulin produced by the body and in turn how the body’s metabolism functions.

Low glycemic foods typically have a rating of under 55 while glycemic ratings over 70 are considered high.

The glycemic index takes into account how the body reacts to carbs. High carbohydrate foods cause the blood sugar levels to rise which in turn causes the pancreas to release insulin. This insulin carries the extra sugar to the livers and muscles for storage and excess sugar is converted to fat.

On the other hand, low carbohydrate foods are used easily by the body which makes the body turn to fats or proteins for energy once it consumes the energy from the low carb foods. Low glycemic index foods are the lower carbohydrate foods which the body uses quickly and is unable to store as fat.

The idea behind any low carb food diet or low GI diet is that weight gain is primarily due to diets high in carbohydrates that cause blood sugar levels to spike and the body to store the extra sugar created from the carbs as fat cells.

A low carb food diet is often difficult to follow for long periods of time. Most people who stay on low carbohydrate diets for any length of time without following a plan that gradually adds carbs back into the diet will rebound and gain back more weight than they lost.

Rather than embark on a strict all or none carbohydrate diet, individuals should learn to eat good carbs that the body uses quickly and limit the amount of starchy foods in the diet.

If you are thinking of going on a low carb food diet then I suggest you first take a look at a long term fat burning and exercise program such as Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle. This complete number 1 fat burning program will teach you the right fat burning foods to eat that you will actually enjoy eating and be able to stick to long term.

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The Swiss ball can be found in practically every gym or fitness center. These giant beach ball looking objects have been part of the professional fitness scene for many years, only they were known as stabilizer balls. A Swiss ball exercise workout is simple, but very effective if done correctly.

In recent years they have become the rage as both fitness buffs and beginners have taken to using them for core strengthening.

To make the most of the Swiss ball, you must know how to use it properly and how often to use it.

The following Swiss ball exercises are designed to get the most out of a routine. As with any fitness routine, consult with a professional before starting and make sure to warm up before beginning the routine.

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Swiss Ball Exercise 1 – Shoulder Rolls

Position the Swiss ball so that it is underneath the shoulders. Roll from left to right approximately six to eight inches. Repeat this ten times, working up to doing two sets of ten.

Swiss Ball Exercise 2 – Back Arches

Position the ball in the middle of the back so that you are lying on the ball. Use the feet to stabilize yourself.  With your arms at your sides, reach backwards and touch the ground. Hold this position for around ten seconds then slowly return to center position. Repeat five times.

Swiss Ball Exercise 3- Leg Extenders

Again position the ball in the middle of the back with feet flat on the floor in front of you. Extend the right leg straight out and hold for five seconds, pull the abdominal muscles tightly in as you hold the position. Repeat with the left leg. Do ten reps on each leg and two sets.

Swiss Ball Exercise 4 - Back Arches

Lie across the ball with your stomach in the center, face down, with your hands touching the ground. Lift the shoulders only, arching the back as high as possible and holding for five to seven seconds. Do this ten times and work up to doing two sets.

Swiss Ball Exercise 5 – Sit-Backs

This may be a little more challenging at first but it will become easier. Sit on the Swiss ball and lift your feet off the ground. Use your arms for balance and lean backwards. At first you may not be able to lean very far, that is okay. Hold the position for five seconds and repeat five times.

Swiss Ball Exercise 6 – Lean Forwards

Lie on the Swiss ball, positioning it underneath the stomach. Lean forward and lift your legs as high as possible off the ground. You can lower your head and use your arms to keep your balance. Repeat five times.

These are just a few of the exercises that can be performed with Swiss ball. Fitness routines that regularly incorporate the use of the Swiss ball will see an increase in core strength, overall endurance, balance, and even weight loss. The abdominal muscles will be fit and taut just like they should be.
 

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When seeking out ways to get that perfectly flat tummy the options seem to be endless as there seems an never ending list of exercises to lose stomach fat .

There is a variety of specialty machines designed specifically for the abdomen and a multitude of that require no equipment, only a flat place to lie down and the gung-ho to stick to the routine.

Some abdominal exercises work entire groups of muscles, such as those performed in Pilates routines and others that are specific to the abdomen. Still other exercises to lost stomach fat are designed for other areas of the body and yet the stomach area benefits as well.

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As with any exercise routine, some of the most basic actions give the best results and are the building block for other exercises. The first one is the basic crunch. The crunch is preferred over the sit-up due to there being less exertion on the back.

Crunches are simple. Lie on the floor or a cushioned exercise mat if the floor is too hard, lift the upper torso a few inches up off the floor, only enough that the pull is felt on the abdominal muscles. The main thing to remember is to use the stomach muscles to do the work, not the arms or neck.

An important note to remember when doing crunches is to keep the body aligned; the head should not be lifted more than the shoulders or the back. Videos or Internet streaming movies are good resources for watching a proper crunch being performed.

The crunch can be altered to work the stomach’s side muscles or obliques, also known as ‘love handles’. Perform the crunch in the same manner as describe with the exception being that the body is twisted toward one side on the way up. A workout video or exercise Website should have this technique available for viewing.

In addition to working the middle of the stomach and the sides of the stomach using crunches and side crunches, individuals should add exercises that focus on the entire abdominal area, including the upper and lower abs. Abdominal routines that focus solely on the middle section will ultimately yield less than desired results.

There are many places to find fitness routines that lead to a flatter stomach. Try the library, the Internet, local book stores, videos and DVDs and local gyms.

There are so many different exercises to lose stomach fat that it may seem hard to know which ones to use. The best idea is to try a variety. If they appear to be working, make note of them and add them to a fitness routine. Some people may be better suited for one exercise than other people. Not all exercises are one size fits all.

If the exercise is painful or too difficult, find another one and add it to the routine. Don’t continually struggle to do an exercise that is not comfortable. Remember that everyone is not equal when it comes to exercise and stamina, not everyone is the same in terms of fitness.

There are some exercises that have more benefits than others, but no exercise has benefits if not done correctly and consistently.

Create a routine that will be done on a regular basis over a period of time in order to get that flat stomach that is so desired.

Exercises that are difficult, require too much time or require exercise equipment that is expensive or bulky are not worthwhile, they are roadmaps to disaster.

There are several great guides on the Internet that provide some great exercises to lose stomach fat, increase metabolism, and improve your overall fitness. I recommend you look at the reviews on this website and look for one that meets your needs.

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With the abdomen area being a key target for fitness and fitness equipment the most remarkable machines for abdominal fitness are the abdominal bench and other machines that target the abdominal muscles.

In addition to helping get you in the best physical shape possible, they are also engineered to limit back injury and other injuries that can occur from exercising. These pieces of equipment are perfect for individuals who want to get in shape and tone their abs at the same time.

The variety of the abdominal bench and other abdominal workout equipment is immense, with sports shops around the world offering many different types and fitness centers employing several types as well for members to use. It is totally up to the individual use to decide which one is best for their needs. Read the rest of this entry

The transverse abdominals, the core set of muscles that are found below the rectus abdominus muscles, are often neglected during abdominal workouts so specific transverse abdominal exercises should be incorporated into your workouts.

Typical abdominal workouts focus on the rectus abdominus and the vertical abdominals, neglecting the transverse abdominals. Crunches, the most common of all abdominal exercises, are even guilty of this.

The transverse abdominal muscles act as a core support for the entire abdomen and connect the lower back muscles and rectus abdominus. This makes them a vital target area during exercise. If the exercise program is geared toward flattening the stomach are, the transverse abdominals must be a focal point. Read the rest of this entry

Just like any other muscle group, lower stomach exercises are needed to target the area below the mid-section. The stomach muscles are often the most stubborn muscles to get flat and in shape, however, they are the muscles that most people want desperately to be flat and flattering.

Exercise and a proper diet can help to get the stomach muscles in tip top shape. However, the one mistake most people make is in focusing only on their midsection.

The reality is that no matter how taut the midsection of the abdomen is there can still be an unsightly bulge in the lower stomach area, so these lower abdominal muscles must be targeted in order to see maximum results. Read the rest of this entry