One of the most important aspects of getting fit is to know your body.
Although people will go through a lower ab exercise knowing they want to see improvement, few understand all the different muscles involved.
While the body is comprised of many muscle groups, those in the abdomen are actually some of the most important.
These muscles are found between the ribs and pelvis on the front, which consists of four different muscle groups that literally cover the internal organs as a protective shield.
When you do a lower ab exercise or other exercises for abdominal muscles, you are strengthening the very part of the body that supports the torso.
These muscles also make it possible for you to move while holding the vital organs securely in place.
Therefore, when you do a lower ab exercise, not only are you going to improve your outward appearance, but you also do something important for your body's health and well being.
Below, we have outlined the four main muscles associated with the abdomen.
With this information, the next time you do a lower ab exercise or one that focuses on the upper region or sides, you would know exactly the muscles being targeted.
1.
Transversus Abdominus - Of all muscles, this is the layer deepest in the body.
This muscle serves a vital role by stabilizing the torso but also maintaining internal pressure within the abdominal cavity.
2.
Rectus Abdominus - Next, this muscle is located between the ribs and pelvis.
Comprised of bulges and bumps, this muscle is what ends up being the coveted six pack when contracted.
While the Rectus Abdominus serves various functions, its primary job is to allow the body to move between the ribs and pubic bone.
3.
External Oblique Muscles - These muscles are found on both sides, which allow the torso to twist and turn.
Working together, if the external oblique muscle on the left were contracting, it is actually controlling movement on the right side and vice versa.
4.
Internal Oblique Muscles - This last muscle flanks the rectus abdominus and sits on the inside of the hip bones.
These muscles also work together to control the opposite side of the body as with the External Oblique Muscles.
5.
Multifidus - A fifth muscle that needs to be addressed runs along the spine and works with the transverses abdominus.
This muscle helps stabilize the spine while protecting it from potential strain or injury.
When you do a lower ab exercise, you should also use core strengthening exercises so this muscle would become strong enough to help with posture and movement.
One of the primary reasons people experience strain, pain, and injury to the back is because the muscles are not strong enough to do their job.
If you were to do traditional crunches and other exercises, they would be ineffective.
However, if you were to perform the right lower ab exercise, these muscles would become strong and stable, thereby able to do their job more effectively.
The goal is to do a lower ab exercise when working that muscle group and the following are considered the most effective for the lower abs and other stomach muscles.
oHollowing - For this, abdominal muscles are pulled back toward the spine, creating a hollow appearance beneath the ribs oBracing - In this case, muscles are flattened and flared, which gives the appearance of the waist being wider than it is oSlow Speed - No matter the type of lower ab exercise you do, every movement should be done slowly for the best results and to prevent injury