Abdominal Stretches
~ Lengthen Your Core ~

Doing abdominal stretches will help to lengthen the stomach muscles. Without lengthening the muscles, it can create a thicker waist. Now that's the last thing we want, right? Everyone wants a nice sleek toned mid-section, we want a skinny waist!

These stretching flexibility exercises will give you flexible abs which is important for things such as good posture and walking.

Your torso is what links your upper and lower body together. Creating a solid foundation allows for you to participate in various activities. Our abs work together with our backs to support the spine with simple activities like sitting or bending over, so doing abdominal stretches keeps these muscles flexible.

Don't bounce during these stretches, just hold the position. You're stretching to relax your muscles, not to contract them by bouncing.

Learn more about your Abdominal Muscles.

Stretches for the Abs:

Lean Back Ab Stretch
Lying Ab Stretch
Over the Ball
Double Side Bend
Full Body Stretch

Lean Back Abdominal Stretches

Stand straight up with feet firmly planted on the floor and feet shoulder width apart.

Look straight ahead while raising both arms straight in front of you.

Keep raising your arms until they're above your head.

Once your arms are directly above your head, slowly start to bend your body backwards at your waist. Go back as far as comfortable.

Hold for 10-15 seconds.

Repeat at least 5 times. As you get stronger, you'll be able to go back further.

Tightening will be felt in your abdomen letting you know it's working.

You can also place your hands on the sides of your lower back and push your hips forward while slowly arching your back backwards.

Or you can also get on your knees and do these abdominal stretches.

Lying Ab Stretch

Lie face down on the floor.

Keep your legs straight back with your toes pointing outwards.

Place your hands about shoulder width apart and push your upper body up as if you're doing a push up (just without the legs being involved), keep your pelvis on the floor.

Arch your back as far as comfortable and look up.

Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times.

Over the Ball

Using a stability ball, place it on a flat surface.

Sit on the ball and slowly lean back while walking your feet forward until the middle of your back is on top of the ball.

Keep your feet firmly on the floor, stretch your arms backwards and touch the ground with your hands, or you can put your hands behind your head (whichever is more comfortable).

Let your head and shoulders hang over the ball.

Remember to breathe and hold the stretch for about 10 seconds.

Double Side Bend

Use a pillow or fold up a towel and place it on the floor.

Put both of your knees on top of the pillow or towel and place the tops of your feet flat on the floor.

Keeping your left knee on the floor, extend your right leg straight out to the side (don't lock your knee).

Slide your right hand down your right leg while leaning your torso to the right and reaching your left arm overhead.

Lean over as far as comfortable and slightly lean your left shoulder back (you'll feel this stretch through out the upper body).

Hold for 15-20 seconds.

Keeping your legs in the same position, shift your torso back to the center and lean to the left side, placing your left hand on the ground and reaching your right arm overhead.

Hold for 15-20 seconds.

Go back to the center and repeat the routine with the left leg stretched out.

Full Body Abdominal Stretches

Get on the floor and lay flat on your back.

Keep your legs straight and point your toes.

Stretch your arms above your head and point your fingers.

Do not overextend, stretch as if something is pulling on your hands and feet in opposite directions.

Hold for 10-15 seconds, then repeat.

Strengthen Your Core

While abdominal stretches are perfect to help lengthen the muscles in your core, you want to also strengthen the core area and lose that extra amount of unwanted abdominal fat.

While extra fat all over your body is unhealthy, it's even more dangerous to have excess abdominal fat.

Everyone wants the rock hard 6 pack abs, who doesn't? You can visibly see those sexy six pack abs if you lose enough belly fat.

Your diet and exercise program can help you achieve results that will keep the fat off, but it does take time, dedication and most important determination.

We should all feel good about our bodies. We can't blame anyone but ourselves if we become fat and flabby. It's time to stop the blaming and get to moving!