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Looking for good ab exercises
Getting in Shape
Looking for good ab exercises
Whether you’re toning up or slimming down, this board is full of great tips, advice, and inspiration. You can also get answers to your fitness questions every Friday from The Knot's fitness guru, certified personal trainer Doug Rice.
Does anyone know some good ab exercises that I can perform to tone my stomach? For some reason, this has always been my problem area. I am not overweight, but I would like to tone up more. I've been d
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Getting in Shape
Looking for good ab exercises
Whether you’re toning up or slimming down, this board is full of great tips, advice, and inspiration. You can also get answers to your fitness questions every Friday from The Knot's fitness guru, certified personal trainer Doug Rice.
Does anyone know some good ab exercises that I can perform to tone my stomach? For some reason, this has always been my problem area. I am not overweight, but I would like to tone up more. I've been d
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Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238
Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:336fa696-baab-4a6f-81c9-bf069e35dec9
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Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/8/2012 11:39 AM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
10-24-2011
LOS ANGELES 5886550593638876
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Last: 5/21/2012
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Does anyone know some good ab exercises that I can perform to tone my stomach? For some reason, this has always been my problem area. I am not overweight, but I would like to tone up more. I've been doing lots of cardio and various types of crunches so far. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :)
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/8/2012 11:53 AM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
02-20-2011
NEW JERSEY 7781338238103536
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FI and I do leg push downs. I lay down and put my legs straight up. Then FI tries to throw my legs down as hard as he can, and I try to keep my legs and feet from hitting the mat, before bringing them back up. Then we swap. It's wonderful for lower abs.
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/8/2012 12:07 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
02-02-2012
NEW YORK 9720637835921310
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Try some planks. Try shooting for 30 seconds to a min. Also side planks, are great, and you can try side plank reach throughs once you master those
Obviously that isnt me, but she gives a good demonstration of what I'm talk about.
Also, try a simple push up hold, it seems easy but its kinda hard if you hold it long enough:
Again I'd aim for 1 min . its slightly modified, as the hips are a bit higher up, which takes the load, and therefor stress off the lower back.
Make sure to tense up as if somone was going to punch you in the stomach. Hopefully they don't!
All the best,
Greg
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/8/2012 12:36 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
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This is my go-to, it's called the ball transfer crunch. I hadn't done them in a bit and started back up again and I was so sore the following day. Great workout.
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/8/2012 2:24 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
07-07-2011
BOSTON 5088456408369599
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I agree with DoyleNYC... side planks are amazing! Once you feel comfortable with planks and side planks, try doing hip taps while in a side plank (tighting up your abs and tapping your hip to the floor and back up again). Another great plank workout is starting in a regular plank - holding for 30-60 sec - transferring to a side plank without dropping to the ground - hold for 30-60 sec - transferring back to center plank and then doing it on the other side. I have noticed a huge change in my abs since doing planks!
lbarr's suggestion is a great one as well. whatever ab workout you choose, make sure to change it up... you never want to do the same workout multiple days in a row. Don't let those muscles get comfortable!
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/8/2012 2:28 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
01-20-2012
CENTRAL ILLINOIS 4191626198622968
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Definitely planks!
Pilates also teaches how to tighten up those muscles - I cant remember the name of the video but it taught a breathing technique where you basically let your lungs expand sideways so that you can keep your front tight and still breathe normally.
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/8/2012 2:31 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
04-22-2011
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In Response to Re: Looking for good ab exercises:
I agree with DoyleNYC... side planks are amazing! Once you feel comfortable with planks and side planks, try doing hip taps while in a side plank (tighting up your abs and tapping your hip to the floor and back up again). Another great plank workout is starting in a regular plank - holding for 30-60 sec - transferring to a side plank without dropping to the ground - hold for 30-60 sec - transferring back to center plank and then doing it on the other side. I have noticed a huge change in my abs since doing planks! lbarr's suggestion is a great one as well. whatever ab workout you choose, make sure to change it up... you never want to do the same workout multiple days in a row. Don't let those muscles get comfortable!
Posted by Ashleigh828
I'll add one to this...
Use a light weight (under 10lbs... I usually use a 7.5) to do arm raises while doing a side plank. Swing your arm under your body then lift up so it is completely extended above your head (this is a medium paced motion). Repeat for as long as you hold the plank for.
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/8/2012 3:12 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
03-14-2011
CINCINNATI 4997357358528073
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-Planks
-Rows--balance on your butt..stretch your body out and then bring your knees and arms up in a rowing motion.
-Lay down on your back, sit on your hands. Keep your toes pointed and maintain your feet 6 inches from the ground for 30 seconds. Variation: do the same thing but flutter kick.
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June 2012
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/8/2012 6:59 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
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Thanks everyone! I'll check all of those videos/links out. I appreciate your help 
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/10/2012 10:30 AM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
07-07-2011
BOSTON 5088456408369599
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In Response to Re: Looking for good ab exercises:
In Response to Re: Looking for good ab exercises : I'll add one to this... Use a light weight (under 10lbs... I usually use a 7.5) to do arm raises while doing a side plank. Swing your arm under your body then lift up so it is completely extended above your head (this is a medium paced motion). Repeat for as long as you hold the plank for.
Posted by lbarr088
Love these as well! We did both this one and the ball one you posted earlier in class yesterday... wow! I can definitely feel it... so great!
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Re: Looking for good ab exercises
posted at 2/10/2012 4:41 PM EST
on theknot.com
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Joined on
10-24-2011
LOS ANGELES 5886550593638876
Posts: 38
First: 2/7/2012
Last: 5/21/2012
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I tried the regular & side planks yesterday and am feeling it today! Thanks again for all the suggestions.
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