Looking for ideas for exercises to trim & tone abdomen?
Asked by
downtide (
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)
February 16th, 2010
I’m not overweight, but what weight I do carry is all on my stomach. I’m looking for exercises to tone up abs, something I can do at home. Sit-ups and crunches, I suppose, but what’s the correct technique, and are there any other exercises I can do?
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9 Answers
There are a lot of YouTube videos that are great at showing you correct form. Doing situps on the pilates ball is good for your core.
Crunches will do it.Either go online or to the library and there is alot of info on proper form.I used to do them until I cried.I am no baby anymore.lol!
As far as i know crunches will only make your abdominal muscles bigger but won’t necessarily make the abdominal region more toned. You need to lose fat by doing cardio such as tread mill, rowing and biking. Pretty much anything to get the heart to a good bpm for about 20 minutes 3 times a week plus correct crunch exercises will make you spartan in no time. Eating right is also important but i’m unfamiliar with that. As @Judi said YouTube is a great source for knowing which exercises to do. Good luck!
Exercise using a swiss ball. Be sure to balance work on the abdomen with exercises for the back to avoid ending up with lower back pain.
NO CRUNCHES….AEROBIC EXERCISE/CARDIO ONLY. As mentioned by @Jayy…abdominal exercises makes your abdominal muscles bigger. All of the people I see at the gym using the ab machines will actually make themselves thicker unless they do some aerobic exercise to burn the fat. Most people already have good abs because they are one of the principle sets of muscles that is involved in almost every movement we make during the day. @Jayy mentioned cardio, which is aerobic exercise. Don’t worry about crunches or ab exercises. If you do some speed walking or slow jogging, you will be exercising your abs. Try to reduce the amount of fat and carbohydrates that you eat and replace these with complex carbohydrates. If you can reduce the amount of sugar, bread, pasta, potatoes, and desserts, you will do yourself a huge favor. Also, portion control is important. One serving is about the size of your fist, not more. Try to have more steamed veggies (not too soft) like asparagus, zucchini, squash, green beans which provide vitamins and fiber, but not that many calories. Try not to put butter on them! You can also bake beets wrapped in foil in the oven at 400F for 45 minutes, then skin them, cube them, and pour balsamic vinegar over them. These are great for fiber and antioxidants. Then choose lean proteins – chicken, turkey, tuna, egg whites, lean pork or ham.
Seated twists with a medicine ball are great, so are the newer exercises of passing a work out ball from your hands to your feet. My fav is to lay on your back hands behind your head legs straight up in the air and simultaneously lift your hips and shoulders off the floor. Do 3 sets of 50 and love it!
Planks, russian twists, leg lifts, swim kicks, scissor kicks, 6 inch torture, are all very good for strong tone muscle. Not necessarily robust.
I love planks and side planks. Some of the best isometric exercises!
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