Whilst regular walking, light running and social sports can help to build aerobic fitness, it is also important to consider how much attention you are devoting to strengthening your core muscles.
Running around your stomach area and lower back, your abdominal muscles are essential to overall good health and stability.
Here are five exercises that specifically target building abdominal strength. Remember, if you do not exercise regularly, it is probably better to start off with lighter exercises in a few repetitions before building up to high-intensity exercises, and always stretch properly before you begin.
- Tummy crunches on an exercise ball will simultaneously give your abs a workout, whilst stabilising your lower back.
- Lie on the floor and focus on tensing your abs. Without straining your neck slowly raise your feet off the ground a few inches, keeping your legs straight. Hold for a few seconds, lower, and repeat.
- Whilst lying on the ground, raise your legs vertically and try tummy crunches.
- Focus on keeping your back straight and strong whilst doing push ups from your knees or feet. In yoga practice this is called the Plank Pose.
- Cycling is a good way to build your overall core strength.
