I wanted to share a video today focusing on one of the more challenging muscle groups that people around greater Cleveland and Beachwood are always asking for help with getting in shape. The lower abdominal muscles — the ones that really help give your stomach that tight and defined look. It’s easy to overlook the particular motions required to target this part of the muscle group AND it’s easy to exercise them incorrectly.

Lower abdominal exercises are really great because they promote spinal stability and aid in preventing injury to the lower back. The lower abdominal muscles include 1) the Rectus Abdominus — this runs vertically and is pulls the front of the pelvis up towards the belly button; 2) the Transverse Abdominus which goes side-to-side, horizontally under the Rectus Abdominus and pulls the belly button in (towards the spine). While anatomically these are separate muscles, it’s helpful to think of this as one large muscle.

I found this great video demonstrating two lower abdominal workout movements: the lower leg raise and the alternating knee raise. Both of these exercises work the target muscle group and reduce the use of other muscles.

Remember, these lower abdominal exercises require concentration and muscle control in order to perform them properly and get the best results. It’s easy to cheat by using other muscle groups like the  hip flexors and lower back muscles – follow the motions slowly and precisely so you feel the workout in the abdominal muscles — it’s better to do less reps correctly than to do a whole bunch of these using supporting muscle groups.

How to Tone Lower Abs — powered by eHow.com