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The abdominals are probably the most popular muscles group because countless people are obsessed with having a flat stomach. Unfortunately, this muscle group has also raised numerous false abdominal beliefs throughout the years.The normal human abdominal muscles form a rounded shape.
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Factors such as individual body type, age and gender could affect the shape and size of one’s abdomen.
For this reason, it is physiologically impossible for a person to have a flat stomach.
Although an abdominal exercise could really tone your ab muscles, it does not necessarily mean that it also reduces the fat around its area.
The fat surrounding the abdominal muscles will remain unless you burn more calories than your daily calorie intake.
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If you are planning to undergo a strict abdominal workout, it will be effective only when combined with strength training, proper diet and exercise.
The best abdominal exercise simply involves your determination and discipline, even without any abdominal equipment.
Simple exercises such as the standard crunch, reverse curl and a combination of these two exercises have been proven the most effective workout in improving abdominal strength and shape.
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The standard crunch is a traditional abdominal exercise wherein you lie on your back with bended knees.
When you lift your shoulders off the platform floor, concentrate on controlling your ribs towards the hips.
Refrain from moving your head while performing this exercise to prevent neck and back pain.
The difficulty level of crunches depends on where you place your hands. Placing your hands on the chest is the easiest.
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Putting your hands on the sides of your head without pulling your neck or head is slightly harder.The hardest crunches are experienced when your hands stretch out above the head. For best results, do your crunches slowly while continuously breathing.
Reverse curl works on the front and side abdominal muscles.It is done by lying on your back and bending your knees towards the chest as far as you can (without leaving your comfort zone).
As you maintain your hips on the floor, lift your hips off the floor by contracting your abdominal muscles. Then, bring the knees towards your chest. Like the crunches, it is a more effective abdominal workout when performed slowly and while maintaining normal breathing.
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Combining reverse curls and crunches is a challenging abdominal exercise suitable for people who have trained their abdomen resistance.
The exercise ball is the most safe and effective abdominal equipment, which has been used by various physical therapists for years.
This kind of exercise is done by lying on the ball as your hips are curved down.
Since you perform at a greater range of motion, it trains both the abs and the lower back.
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Beginners or people who have difficulty in maintaining balance can purchase an abdominal exercise machine to assist them in their workouts. Because there are numerous abdominal exercise equipments in the market, it is best to test which is the most comfortable and will support your back and neck.
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