Saturday, December 20, 2008

Lower Ab Exercises Made Fun

By Dan Solaris

As any fitness buff can attest to, working on the abdominals can be the most difficult part of the body to work on. When trying to burn excess fat through a weight-loss program, belly fat is usually the last to go. Frustration is so great sometimes that people even give-up going to the gym altogether.

Our anatomy is such that the excess calories we don't expend our stored as fat and this is concentrated mostly around our midsection. It's quite unsexy to walk around with a potbelly, so losing belly fat tops the list for gym goers everywhere.

Gym exercises require repetitions that can become tiresome and boring after a while. With lower ab exercises for women, it's tougher to stay motivated because their body fat is usually found in the lower part of the belly, hips and thighs.

The lack of visible progress in terms of forming a six-pack is a major source of consternation for fitness buffs since time immemorial and lower ab muscles are usually the last to appear. It would make sense then for some people to do exercises that target the lower abs.

Contrary to what some may think, the upper and lower abdomen are really just one muscle, so doing lower ab exercises doesn't really isolate the lower part of the six-pack. Exercises for the upper (crunches) and lower abs (leg raises) actually develops the whole midsection. Leg raises and its different variations however, put a little bit more stress on them.

The monotonous nature of repetitions and seemingly slower progress developing the lower abs make it a challenge to keep working regularly. This can be remedied by either working-out with a partner, using alternative devices like a medicine ball, or switching to a different type of lower ab exercise every now and then.

Challenging our muscles by incorporating new patterns of movements once in a while will produce faster results. The same goes for the muscles of the midsection- mixing-up routines will keep our workouts from becoming dull and monotonous.

Making it a point to have fun in doing lower ab exercises will enable you to keep hitting the gym and avoid the corner pub after work. Consistency is key and this will ultimately bring you a chiseled six pack faster. - 15343

About the Author: