account
Tell us what you thinkAbs and Back
Try these unique and challenging exercises for the abdominals and the lower back for a strong, functional torso.
Bridge with Leg Lift
Lie face up on the floor, knees bent. Push body into a bridge position, supporting your weight on your feet and arms. Straighten one leg up, heel flexed and slowly lower leg out to the side a few inches WITHOUT moving the rest of the body. Use the abs to stabilize your body and don't hold your breath. Do all reps on one leg, then switch sides.
Lie face up on the floor, knees bent. Push body into a bridge position, supporting your weight on your feet and arms. Straighten one leg up, heel flexed and slowly lower leg out to the side a few inches WITHOUT moving the rest of the body. Use the abs to stabilize your body and don't hold your breath. Do all reps on one leg, then switch sides.
Balancing Ab Twist
Begin by lying on your side and push up so that your body is supported by right arm, feet stacked. Straighten left arm and balance for a moment, then sweep the left arm down and twist the body, turning it towards the floor while keeping the rest of the body in place. Squeeze the abs and hold for 2 seconds, then go back to starting position.
Begin by lying on your side and push up so that your body is supported by right arm, feet stacked. Straighten left arm and balance for a moment, then sweep the left arm down and twist the body, turning it towards the floor while keeping the rest of the body in place. Squeeze the abs and hold for 2 seconds, then go back to starting position.
Wheel Slide
Using an ab wheel, adjustable dumbbell (see picture) OR simply a piece of cardboard, begin on hands and knees with wheel in front, arms straight, abs pulled in. Roll wheel out, keeping abs tight (DO NOT ARCH BACK!) as far as you can comfortably go, then squeeze the abs to roll body back to starting position. Each workout, go a little further out.
Using an ab wheel, adjustable dumbbell (see picture) OR simply a piece of cardboard, begin on hands and knees with wheel in front, arms straight, abs pulled in. Roll wheel out, keeping abs tight (DO NOT ARCH BACK!) as far as you can comfortably go, then squeeze the abs to roll body back to starting position. Each workout, go a little further out.
Bicycle
Lie face up with lower back pressed to the floor. Cradle head in your hands, elbows out, and bend right knee, pulling it towards your chest while touching the knee with the opposite elbow. Begin a slow pedal motion by touching opposite elbow to opposite knee, alternating each side. Keep the abs pulled in (don't let them bulge out) and breath continuously.
Lie face up with lower back pressed to the floor. Cradle head in your hands, elbows out, and bend right knee, pulling it towards your chest while touching the knee with the opposite elbow. Begin a slow pedal motion by touching opposite elbow to opposite knee, alternating each side. Keep the abs pulled in (don't let them bulge out) and breath continuously.
Deadlifts
Hold a barbell or dumbbells in front of thighs, feet hip-width apart and abs pulled in. Tipping from the hips and keeping the weight close to your legs, lower the weight to mid-shin (or wherever is comfortable) while keeping the legs straight (but not locked). Lift back to starting position and make sure the abs are pulled tight throughout the movement.
Hold a barbell or dumbbells in front of thighs, feet hip-width apart and abs pulled in. Tipping from the hips and keeping the weight close to your legs, lower the weight to mid-shin (or wherever is comfortable) while keeping the legs straight (but not locked). Lift back to starting position and make sure the abs are pulled tight throughout the movement.
Back Extensions
Lie face down with hands either behind the back or lightly cradling the head. Lift upper body off the ground a few inches, keeping head and neck in alignment. For a challenge, then lift feet off the ground keeping legs straight (knees don't have to be together), hold for 2-4 counts and lower.
Lie face down with hands either behind the back or lightly cradling the head. Lift upper body off the ground a few inches, keeping head and neck in alignment. For a challenge, then lift feet off the ground keeping legs straight (knees don't have to be together), hold for 2-4 counts and lower.
Advertisement
What is Your Diet Profile
Figure out what type of eater you are and you might just find the answer to permanent weight loss.
Take the Diet Profile Test and learn to avoid the pitfalls and self-sabotage that often come with your personal profile.