These crunching (core) exercises are excellent for core strength,
midline stability, and development of the abs and lower back.
1. Swing Ups
Start
lying faceup on the floor with the bottoms of your feet touching and
your knees bent and dropped to the side in a "butterfly" position.
Extend your arms overhead so they are resting on the floor.
Swing
your arms up and forward in an arc over and past your head, using the
momentum to raise your shoulders and torso off the floor. Keeping your
back straight and your elbows extended, touch your toes with your
fingertips.
Keeping your elbows extended, reverse the motion as you lower your torso and shoulders back to the floor.
2. Plank
Start
in a facedown position, propped up on your elbows, with your elbows
aligned directly beneath your shoulders and your forearms resting on the
floor. Your knees should be fully extended and your toes on the floor.
Squeeze
your glutes, draw your belly button in toward your spine and raise your
hips approximately one foot above the floor. Your body should be rigid
and elevated from heels to shoulders. Hold the position as long as you
can. Lower hips to the ground when you need to rest.
3. Twisters
Start
lying faceup on the floor, holding your legs in the air perpendicular
to the floor, your legs straight, and your arms extended outward like
wings resting on the floor.
Keeping
your shoulders and arms anchored to the floor and your legs together,
swing your legs over to your left side. Touch your left foot to the
floor to mark a complete repetition.
Keeping your shoulders and
arms anchored to the floor and your legs together, bring your legs 180
degrees over to your right side. Touch your right foot to the floor to
mark another repetition. Return your legs to the starting position.
4. Knees To Elbows
Start lying faceup on the floor with your arms extended overhead, hands and heels touching the floor.
In
one movement, draw your knees up toward your chest and your elbows down
toward your hips, crunching upward with your torso so your buttocks and
shoulders lift off the floor. Touch your elbows to your knees.
Extend
your legs all the way back downward and your arms all the way back
overhead. Touch your heels and the backs of your hands to the floor,
returning to the starting position.
From Choose More, Lose More For Life by Chris Powell, courtesy of Hachette Books
