Abdominal crunches

The Sit-up and abdominal Crunches are pretty much one and the same exercise. They are one of the most basic but most effective workouts for the abdominal muscles.

There are also specific abdominal ab exercise machines to help your with you abdominal exercises. There are many different types and styles of Sit-ups and abdominal crunches but we will have a look at the most simple version.

You may also want to consider using an Exercise Ball workout program to really concentrate on giving your core muscles a great workout. Remember, always stay in your own comfort zone during the exercise and keep good form, move slowly and with smooth movements.

• Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor, legs bent at a 45 degree angle and hands resting underneath the neck.
  
  
• It is very important to press the small of your back into the floor throughout the duration of the exercise to guard against back injury.
  
  
• Lift the back and head off the floor and towards the legs. The feet, buttocks and small of the back remain on the floor.
  
  
• There is no need to bring your head and body right up against your thighs, if you keep your abdominal muscles clenched you will get the desired effect.
  
  
• Roll the shoulders upwards towards the knees, lifting the head and top of the back off the floor.
  
  
• Lower back to the ground and into the starting position.

The amount of repetitions you do will really depend on the strength of your stomach muscles. To start with you may not even be able to get off the floor. This is no reason to be disheartened, if you do what you can regularly your Sit-ups will come along in leaps and bounds. Once you are comfortable with a set of Crunch repetitions you can consider some of the variations such as pulses, lifting the legs from the floor while crunching, and lying on alternate sides to do side crunches.

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