Lower Ab Exercises - 3 Core Workouts For Developing the Rectus Abdominus

Exercising the lower abdominal muscles is considered vital if you desire to tone up the area and achieve a universally-envied sculpted figure. There are specific lower ab exercises that can effectively stimulate different parts of the six-pack rectus abdominus muscles. Some require a lot of endurance while others are simple enough to be squeezed into any exercise routine. A great sounding and equally effective workout is the Abdominal Flutter Kicks which involves a lot of kicks that bear a faint resemblance to the flutter of a butterfly's wings.

Lie down flat on the floor with your arms neatly tucked by your sides, palms facing down. Stretch out your legs straight in front of you with a slight bend at the knees. Raise your heels six inches from the floor and scissor the air with your legs in a slow and steady manner. Ensure your abs contract and you can feel your abdominus muscles tug and pull at each other as you master each kick. Keep going till you feel thoroughly exhausted. Take a deep breath and relax before doing another round of air kicking.

Head Raises are another powerful workout you will find tough in the beginning but will earn to appreciation them as your body gains suppleness and flexibility. Your first task is to find something to hang from. A tree or a chinning bar will be fine. Hang from our chosen prop and bring your legs high up so that your elbows can be touched with your knees.

Sounds scary? But it's much easier when you actually do it. Lower your legs in a slower motion and again use all your might to raise your legs. Many have sighted the similarity of this exercise to the famed Gorilla Chin crunches. Once you master it, your lower abs will be in tip-top condition and far more attractive as well.

Weight-oriented workouts are four times more effective than those done without any. Why not try a Hand to Leg Crunch using those spare dumb-bells you have not bothered to use ever since you bought them.

Get hold of a dumb-bell in each hand and lie down with arms extended above your head and legs straight. Take it slow in the beginning. Raise your right leg and your right arm simultaneously and make sure they touch each other. No bending at the knees or elbows, mind you. Crunch till the count of ten and repeat the exercise with the left arm and left leg.

You could try this exercise without the dumb bell. But if a humble dumb bell can fetch you double the result for your efforts, why say no when you know it's for your own good.

These workouts can be tried three times a week. Don't think trying to do them every day will help you tone down faster cause your muscles need time to recuperate after a hectic workout. Do try alternating or skipping a specific exercise for a particular week. That way, your abs will not fall prey to the monotony of routine set of lower ab exercises.

Developing a working set of exercises in your fitness toolbox takes some experimentation, documentation and observation. There are many great routines out there that can work wonders under the right circumstances. Keep an open mind to new exercises and dietary changes that might help you reach your personal and fitness goals.

If you want to have an awesome fit and lean body, check out these unbeatable tips to Forge Great Abs the right way.

Good luck!
Jason D. Woods
Personal Trainer, Football Coach and Freelance Writer