Does anyone know....

[StitchGirl88]

how to tone the muscels in you stomach area. I know crunches but anything else. I don't want to go out and buy anything to do it cause right now I am tight on money so just exercises will do. Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[r3ngels]

I hope someone knows because I would love to know too.

 

[pixiedust27]

My local YMCA has a 30 minute class devoted to toning abs. A lot of the exercises require a medicine ball or a resistance ball but there are a couple that don't.
One of the best ones that I know of is a plank. It's hard to describe so here's a link to a website that might help.
http://www.onlinefit.com/health/index.cfm/Exercise/351
Also, you can do reverse sit ups where you lie down on your back on the floor with your hands tucked under your bottom. You bring your legs up straight and then slowly lower them towards the floor. Depending on your strength you might not be able to lower your feet all the way to the floor at first. Also, if you have any lower back problems then you don't want to do this one. The idea is that your spine should stay close/on the floor the whole time so if it starts to raise up then you're bringing your feet too far down.
Along those same lines are throw-downs. You need a partner for this. Lie on your back with your hands on your partner's (who is standing up) ankles. Raise your legs all the way up and then he/she should push your legs towards the floor with force. Then you use your lower abdominal muscles to prevent your feet from hitting the floor and pull them back up to the starting position. You can also have your partner alternate pushing your legs to either side to work your obliques as well.
Another thing that they do in the ab class is to do sit ups with variances in the time that it takes to complete them. So you might go up really fast and then go down gradually and slowly. Also, they'll have you hold the situp halfway for 8 seconds or so.
I hope that this helps! I'm feeling guilty now because I haven't done any ab work in months (since July! )

 

[r3ngels]

Ohhh, I just tried the plank and you can feel it working that seems to be a "keeper". Thanks.

 

[StitchGirl88]

Thanks!!! I like those.

 

[pixiedust27]

One other thing that I forgot to mention:
in class they always say to be sure and hold your stomach in (like you have on a pair of pants that are too tight) the whole time that you're doing ab exercises. It's really hard for me to do this all of the time but when I remember to I can totally feel the difference.