Give Your Abdominal Muscles A First Class Workout
You know the value of strong abdominal muscles but you don’t want to spend your time lifting barbells at the gym. And, while everyone else is sweating over their efforts to develop a six-pack, your main interest is in developing core strength and stability.
If you haven’t yet explored the world of fitness classes offered at your local gym or the latest workout DVDs at your favorite bookstore, now is the time. An ever-expanding range of courses offers a healthy dose of guidance, camaraderie and motivation along with moderate to intense cardio workouts. From yoga and pilates to deep water running, these classes will definitely put your abdominal muscles through their paces.
1. Yoga
The ancient practice of hatha (physical) yoga is universally regarded for strengthening and stabilizing our abdominal muscles. It’s no surprise those who consistently greet the day with Sun Salutations have firm, well-defined abs.
To get the most from yoga postures like the ever-popular upward facing dog engage what is known as Mula Bandha: squeeze the muscles that lie between the bottom of your pubic bone and the bottom of your tailbone. Visualize those muscles being pulled towards your abdominal muscles. Hold this position as long as you comfortably can throughout the various postures, or asanas. If you need to relax the muscles, do so. Then, re-engage them when you are ready. Bracing your muscles in this way greatly increases the impact of the yoga postures on your core.
2. Pilates
Developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, this highly efficient non-impact technique has been prized by dancers like Martha Graham and George Balanchine for building strength without bulk. It has been embraced by physiotherapists as a safe and effective way to rehabilitate injuries, increase flexibility and strengthen muscles. Like yoga, it emphasizes the abdominal muscles and teaches special breathing techniques.
There are two different types of pilates classes: those that run through a series of floor exercises on mats and those that perform the same exercises using special equipment. Although several machines may be used by your pilates trainer, the most common is the reformer: this clever resistance-based machine allows you to perform the foundational pilates movements while sitting, kneeling, standing or lying down.
3. Deep water running
Deep water running is the professional athlete’s best kept secret. This intense workout is often used for cross-training or for rehabilitation. If you’ve been injured, this is a great way to get an aerobic workout without further strain. To give this full-body workout a try, lean slightly forward and run with your head up. Look straight ahead. Push your feet down and back through the water, careful not to make a cycling motion with your legs. Your arms should be bent at a 90°angle.
How exactly does deep water running benefit your abdominal muscles? Even with a flotation belt, running in the water with your feet off of the ground requires you to engage hip flexors as well as your stabilizer and core muscles at all times in order to maintain balance and propel your body forward.
Have fun experimenting with new exercise techniques and adding variety to your weekly routine. And, remember, there really is no secret to strong abdominal muscles. With a healthy, low-fat diet, cardio activity and strength training exercises, your strong, lean torso will soon be the envy of all your friends.
95% Of All Guys Are DEAD WRONG About How To Carve Out Ripped Six Pack Abs.
Click Here And Learn How To Rapidly Melt Away That Stubborn Stomach Fat That Has Plagued You For So Long!
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment