You can find your abdominal muscles below your chest, from your ribs to your pelvis. These muscles include your rectus abdominis, obliques and transversus abdominis. Because subcutaneous fat often covers some of your abs, you can't always see these muscles. Your abs aren't just for show. They protect vital organs, support your core and enable various body movements. A number of exercises, including crunches, twists and yoga moves, can strengthen your abs.
Rectus Abdominis
Your rectus abdominis muscles tilt your pelvis, steady your trunk and help with side bends. Located in your midsection, they're better known for their appearance as they form the much-coveted six or eight pack. The rectus abdominis runs from your fifth, sixth and seventh ribs to your pubis. A vertical line called the linea alba divides the left and right sides. The muscle has three horizontal grooves that can give your abs that sought-after lean appearance.
Obliques
Your obliques let you twist and turn. The external obliques lie to the left and right of your rectus abdominus. They stretch from your lower eight ribs to the Iliac crest of your pelvis. Your internal obliques lie underneath your external obliques and border your rectus abdominis. They span from your lower three ribs to your Iliac crest. Portions of your external and internal obliques wrap around your lower back.
Transversus Abdominis
Your transversus abdominis helps expel air from your lungs. This deepest ab muscle runs from your lower six ribs to your linea alba and pubis. It also connects with your diaphragm and allows abdomen compression.
Exercises
If you want to strengthen your abs, you don't have to resort to hundreds of sit-ups. Simple yoga moves like plank, bow and boat also condition your trunk. Certain pilates moves such as "the hundred" target your ab muscles. More traditional methods include seated or standing twists, leg pull-ins and Swiss ball crunches. Many gyms provide ab roller, machine crunch and hyperextension stations. Compound exercises such as pushups, pull-ups and chin-ups also engage your abs.
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