The Strong Stomach Workout

When beginning an abdominal workout routine, for the majority the goal is easy : a flatter stomach. While a smooth, six-pack gut looks good, it is less of an accomplishment if the the gut muscles have not gained any strength. As well as slimming down round the outer abdominals, it is also crucial to build strength in the core abdominals. Below are some stomach exercises that work out the core to build powerful muscles across the abdomen. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before beginning and always heat up properly to avoid injury.

Tone Your Torso
Begin this stomach exercise on all fours, knees and hands on the floor. Keep your gut pulled in and extend your left arm out before you ( soccer fans, imagine a referee signaling first down ). Keep this arm outstretched as you extend your right leg out behind you. Switch arms and legs, and repeat for a whole set. Take particular care not to let your pelvis sway out of position.

Butt Burner
You will have to lie on your back for this exercise. Employ a mat or towel to cushion your spine. Bend your knees so your feet are flat on the floor, and position your arms at your sides. Squeeze your ass as you lift your pelvis off the floor. Keep the remainder of your body in line. Raise your pelvis to about forty-five degrees, so your upper body from your head to your knees makes a straight, flat ramp. Hold this for 3 to 5 seconds before slowly lowering your pelvis back to the floor. Repeat for a complete set.

Crunchless Crunch
This stomach exercise is fairly easy in theory but can be fairly difficult to perform. Essentially, it involves trying to pull the belly button in towards the spine. This will be difficult, as it includes the use of muscles which you may not be used to turning on. To start, either lie or on your belly or kneel. You may want to try both ways and see which helps you feel the exercise better. Relax your body as much as possible, then try to use only the lower abdominals to move your belly button toward your spine. Hold for 10 seconds. If this feels simple, hold for a longer time. The goal is to hold the contraction until you either cannot feel it, or you feel other muscles working harder than the transverse abdominus. When you feel this, let the contraction out.

Scissor Kicks
This stomach exercise also needs lying on the floor. Position your hands under your butt, keeping your back pressed against the floor. Slowly raise one leg to a height of about ten inches, then slowly lower it back to the floor. As your lower one leg, raise the other. Repeat this motion for a complete set. Maintaining control throughout is crucial, not permitting momentum to get the better of you. Your upper body should stay on the floor thru the entire move.

These are only a few of all the strength building stomach exercises out there. If you're looking to build strength in your midsection, look for any exercise that works your core, especially the cross intestinal muscles. Many components of Pilates are excellent for this also.

Discover the Truth About Diets and claim a Free Diet Plan from the Weight Loss Twins

5 Tips to Get a Flat Stomach ... Click Here

Get the Fat Burning Secrets of Models and Body Builders