There are many reasons to exercise your core and abdominal muscles regularly. Not only will you become more toned and lose weight around your midsection, but you'll begin to enjoy better health benefits as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with healthy waist measurements (under 35 inches for women and under 40 inches for men) have a reduced risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancers, metabolic syndrome and other serious health issues.
Tuck In
Be vigilant about keeping good posture and keeping your stomach muscles tucked in and up when you work your abs. It may be more comfortable at times to relax the muscles and drop your midsection, letting your stomach hang forward, but you'll get a far more effective workout if you keep continual tension on your muscles and tighten them all the way through. Tucking in your muscles also keeps your posture healthy, which will help prevent you from straining your back and neck.
Don't Strain
Straining your neck and spine is a risk when doing focused abdominal exercises, but you can prevent it by keeping your spine neutral during poses. When doing any exercise where the initial movement is motivated from your core, don't bend or strain your head and neck in any way. If you're crunching upward, cross your arms across your chest or place your hands behind your head with your elbow bent so that you can keep your spine neutral. During floor exercises, keep your eyes on the ceiling to avoid temptation to throw the neck into your movements.
Go for Variety
Do poses and moves that exercise more than just one part of your body. CNN recommends choosing exercises that work a number of core muscles at once rather than doing moves that pinpoint just one area of the abdomen or stomach. When you pick maneuvers that work multiple muscles, you accomplish more with your time and get closer to a goal of strengthening your entire core rather than toning just a few muscles.
Combine
Don't limit yourself to just core exercises. The Mayo Clinic's physicians note that spot exercises alone, such as crunches and sit-ups, won't contribute to weight loss in your midsection, although they will tone muscles. To get the best results in a core exercise routine and be able to show the evidence that you're working out, combine your abdominal exercises with strength training and aerobic activities to form a well-rounded routine that you can repeat at least several times a week.
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