4 Stomach Toning Exercises

Stomach Crunches are the most common type of stomach toning exercise. To do, lie on your back with your feet as close as possible to your bum. Place both your hands or your chest and slowly lift your shoulders off the floor. In doing so, keep your lower back on the floor and the neck still to avoid straining both back and neck. Hold that position for about 5 to 10 seconds then relax. As you get more and more accustomed to this exercise, increase the number of reps and length of hold.

Sit-Ups are great for your abdominal area. Sit on the floor with your knees bent and hook your toes in a secure position. Bring your hands behind the back of the head and slowly bring yourself up, keeping your back straight. Hold that position for about2-3 seconds, then slowly bring yourself down back to the original position. Increase the number of reps every week to allow progressive resistance.

The Plank. For this stomach toning exercise, lie on the floor on your stomach. Preferably use a mat or any soft surface to reduce discomfort. Prop your body up on your forearms and slowly lift your body up so you stay just on your toes and forearms with your body straight like a plank. Hold that position for 30 seconds, then slowly lower your body. Start with 1-2 reps then slowly build from there.

Leg Raises are best for targeting your lower abdominal area. Start by lying back on the floor. Keep your hands at your side and your feet straight. Slowly bring your feet up to a 45 degree angle from the ground, hold for about 5 seconds then bring it down and repeat. This type of leg raise is the most common of all the leg raises but for starters it is very useful.

For starters, follow these four exercises and within a couple of months or probably weeks, you will see a big improvement in our stomach area.

By: Dave Stern

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