How Well Do You Know Your Abs?

How well do you know you know your abdominal muscles? Let's get to know them. These are very important to your flexibility and stability because they are involved in virtually every movement of your body. The stronger these core abdominal muscles are the better posture you will have, the longer and harder you will be able to engage in physical activity. Here is a quick overview of the anatomy of your four ab muscles.

The rectus abdominus is the six-pack muscle that gives you good posture. The rectus abdominis connects vertically from the pubic bone up to the rib cage and breast bone. This muscle can be exercised and strengthened using the crunch exercise. Lie on you back with knees bent, then crunch slowly by contracting your rectus abdominis to lift both shoulders off the floor.

The external oblique is a flat muscle that runs diagonally from the 5th to the 12th pair of ribs to the front of the hip bone. There is a pair of external oblique muscles, one on each side of the rectus abdominis. These muscles are used when twisting your torso or bending to the side. The external oblique muscles are exercised using the twisting crunch. Lie on you back with knees bent, then crunch, lifting one shoulder only for 20 reps, then repeat with the other shoulder.

The internal oblique runs diagonally at right angles to the external oblique from the front of the hip bone to ribs five through twelve and the linea alba. The linea alba is connective tissue down the front of the abdomen that separates the left and right rectus abdominis muscles and is seen as the depression between the left and right halves of a six-pack. There are two internal oblique muscles, one on each side of the body. These muscles are also used when twisting your torso or bending to the side. The internal oblique muscles are also exercised using the twisting crunch.

The travsversus abdominis (or TVA) is the deepest muscle of the abdominal muscles as a layer below the internal oblique muscles. It runs horizontally from ribs 7 through 12, the lumbar vertebrae and top of the hip bone to the linea alba and the pubic bone. This muscle provides support to the spine and trunk. The transversus abdominis can be trained using the vacuum exercise. Lie on your back and draw your navel in twards your spine. Hold this for serveral seconds then relax. Repeat this 10 times.

Another good abdominal exercise is the plank or hover exercise. The plank position is with your toes and forearms on the floor. Your torso is raised off the floor, and is straight and rigid from your shoulders to your heels with no sagging. Keep your head relaxed and look at the floor. Hold this position for 20 seconds initially. Increase this to 60 seconds over a series of workouts.

Check out Dynamic Wellness for more tips and information on strength training and body building.

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