Loose skin on the lower abs is not a serious medical problem, but it can be discouraging to deal with. This generally takes place when a lot of weight is lost quickly or it is the result of having a baby. If you have loose skin in this area and you do not want to go through a risky surgery, there are exercises aimed at building up your lower abdominal muscles. This will give the skin a tighter appearance.
Hanging Exercises
Multiple lower ab exercises are performed from a hanging position on a pull-up bar. To do a standard knee raise, grasp the bar with a shoulder-width grip, pull your knees up to your chest and lower them back down. For a progression, keep your legs straight when you raise them up and try to level them to the floor. For an even harder progression, perform scissor leg raises where you alternate your legs in a scissor-motion. With all of these exercises, keep your upper body still. To increase the resistance, wear a pair of ankle weights.
Sliding Pikes
Sliding pikes work your lower and upper abs with the help of a towel and slippery floor surface. After placing your hands shoulder-width apart on the floor, place your toes on a towel and lift your hips to straighten your back. Steadily slide the towel on the floor as you lift your hips in the air and move your feet toward your head. Extend your legs back out and repeat. To increase the challenge and the intensity on your stomach, alternate using one foot at a time. Be sure to keep your arms, back and legs straight throughout.
Fingers to Toes Crunch
A fingers to toes crunch works the upper and lower abs and it is done from a lying position on your back. After raising your legs and leveling your feet with the ceiling, raise your arms in front of your body so they parallel your thighs. Steadily lift your torso and try touching your toes. When you do this, squeeze your abs forcefully, slowly lower yourself down and repeat. For a variation, alternate lowering one leg to the ground as you lower your shoulders. To increase the resistance with this exercise, wear ankle weights and hold a medicine ball in your hands.
Leg Circles
Leg circles are Pilates exercises performed from a lying position on your back. With your arms at your sides and legs in front of you, raise both legs and draw imaginary clockwise circles in the air. After doing a set of reps, switch directions. Once again, to increase the resistance, wear ankle weights. If you feel pressure on your lower back, place your hands under your butt.
Cobra
The cobra is a yoga pose that tightens the upper and lower abs. To do this exercise, lie on your stomach with your legs straight behind you, the top of your feet flat on the floor and your hands by your shoulders. Carefully press into the floor to raise your torso in the air and stop when your arms are fully extended. Allow your hips and butt to drop down, puff your chest forward and feel the contraction in your stomach. Once you have held it for 30 to 45 seconds, release.
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