Want Great Abs? Try This Move

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Bored with crunches? No big. We've got another great abs exercise for you.

And this move challenges your back and abdominal muscles simultaneously, to keep your spine and pelvis perfectly aligned throughout the movement.

But be forewarned. No matter how simple this move looks, it isn't. So please pay special attention to proper form here, as improper form can severely lessen the effectiveness of the exercise.

Having that said, let's get to work on that six-pack!You'll want to perform this move on a mat or carpeted area.

Step One:

Start by sitting up with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Your legs should be opened, hip-width apart. Inhale slowly for a count of five.

Then exhale for a count of five. As you exhale, press your navel inward--imagine it touching the floor beneath you--and begin lowering yourself back slowly toward the floor, maintaining this curling position. (See illustration at right)

As you move back, move your arms forward so that the tips of your fingers touch your knees. Your shoulders should be back, not rounded.

Also, be careful to keep your shoulders above hip level. Leaning back any farther could cause undue stress on your lower back. Make sure your abdominals are pulled inward. Hang in there...Think great abs, not good abs.

Step Two:

Now, keeping your navel pressing inward toward the floor, begin to raise your right arm slowly until it reaches the level of your right ear.
(See illustration below)
Hold for two counts. Now slowly switch arms, raising your left arm to the level of your left ear, while moving the right arm downward.

Hold the left arm for two counts, then switch back to your right arm. Repeat this move 4 additional times on each side, switching back and forth between your left and right arms. You're done!

A Couple of Quick Tips:

Granted, this exercise isn't a cakewalk. But if you want really great abs, it is going to take some work. And this move, done faithfully several times a week, will help to whip your abs into shape.

Also, it's always a good idea to stretch your lower back when you're done with this move. The cat stretch is one of my favorite stretches for the lower back. It's simple. And it feels soooo good!

Check out the following cat stretch illustration to see how it's done.

Note that the subject's back is parallel to the floor and not arched in position one.
The arching is done upward, as you see in drawing two, with the abs tucked in. Then you release the stretch back to the starting position.

This is the correct way to perform this stretch. When done properly, it releases tension from the lower back beautifully.





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