Sure, a great ab workout can leave you with a bikini-ready body. But working your abdominals has other benefits, too. By engaging these muscles, you can improve the quality of your digestion and stimulate diaphragmatic breathing, which can relieve stress. Try the following exercise to tone your belly—and build a stronger, more centered you.
Core Balancer
- What it does: This stabilizing isometric strengthener works the upper and lower ab muscles. To stay balanced here, you'll use several muscles in concert, which makes more effective use of them.
- How to do it: Start by lying on your back, arms over your head and feet hips-width apart. Take a deep inhale and, as you exhale, pull your upper body and lower body upward so that you form a V. Reach your fingers toward your toes and keep your gaze upward, compressing your abs and drawing the navel toward the spine. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, then gently lower down. Repeat 3 to 5 times. (To modify, leave your legs up and just lower your upper body, lifting up again to reach your raised legs.)
Learn more about Firming Your Core.
Question: Do you love ab exercises or loathe them?
Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.
Comments