Ab Workout Explained

Isn't the goal of many people to have great looking abs? Nothing beats the feeling of being able to take your shirt off and being proud of the core of your body. But having great abs is not just about looking good. It also helps the body in being more fluid in movement as well as in supporting the trunk of the body. The abdomen also helps you in breathing. Getting your abs in shape won’t just make you feel sexy but feel better all over. Another benefit of a tone abs is improved core strength. Improved core strength equals improved back alignment, thus helps in reducing back and neck strains.

Targeting your ab muscles is very vital in order to achieve cut abs. The abdominal muscles are composed of six muscles extending from the ribs down to the pelvis. The pair of ab muscles you have on each side of the torso are called internal obliques. These muscles are used when the spine rotates and in the lateral flexion of the spine. Another pair of ab muscles are called the external obliques. This pair is located on either side of the torso. They function the same way as internal obliques: Assists with the rotation and the lateral flexion of the spine.

The rectus abdominus is part of the ab muscles as well. These are the group of muscles that will give you the six-pack look if you can tone them. The final group of ab muscles is the transverse abdominus muscles. They are placed on the opposite end of the rectus abdominus; the deepest of all 6 ab muscles. You can’t really get these in shape nor can you even touch them since they serve a different purpose – assisting with your posture. These muscles wrap around the torso and acts like your natural back support belt.

While there are people who get results quickly, there are some who just can’t seem to get their abs into shape with the same workout. The results may vary from person to person. Not target the ab muscles properly may be one possibility. It can also be that they are not gradually intensifying their regimen as time passes. It can be that they are doing the wrong exercises. What most people fail to realize is that any exercise can be done in a certain way to turn it into an ab workout. A simple action such as tightening your abs while exercising can already include your abs in the workout. It’s similar to bracing while preparing to get punched in the gut. This will work your abs even if you’re not doing any ab-specific exercises.

You may use the exercise ball to get the abs you want or you can get a gym membership and take advantage of the equipment. Having the abs you have always dreamed of will not only improve your physical appearance but your overall being.

By: Emily W. Jackson

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Emily W Jackson is a respected exercise instructor who has helped people get those tight abs through specific ab workouts. She compiled her knowledge in her book "The Six-Pack Ab Formula:The Secrets to Getting, Keeping, and Loving Super Perfect Abs!" for other people's benefit. To learn key exercises to target those abs, visit her website abworkoutsource.com.