THEY ARE VALUABLE FOR SEVERAL REASONS
My personal interest is in finding an abdominal exercise that doesn’t involve my lower back. Crunches or sit-ups can be a problem for me, since I have back and hip arthritis.
- Standing ab workouts place less strain on our backs
- They also engage multiple muscle groups, not just the abdominal muscles
- Standing exercises mimic real-life movements, promoting functional fitness and balance
The man below is doing side bends with no equipment. I have done this with a light dumbbell, for the external oblique muscles at our sides.
A FEW STANDING AB EXERCISES
Wood chops
- Start with your feet shoulder width apart
- Hold a medicine ball or resistance band handle with both hands
- Rotate your body and bring the ball or handle diagonally across your body. ending over your opposite shoulder
- Keep your core engaged and pivot on your back foot as you twist. Control the movement back to the starting position.
Standing mountain climbers.
- Stand with feet hip width apart
- Lift one knee toward your chest while simultaneously raising your opposite hand
- Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side, alternating quickly
Standing bicycle crunches.
- Stand with your feet hip width apart and hands behind your head
- Lift one knee toward your chest, while bringing the opposite elbow toward the lifted knee, engaging your core
- Repeat on the other side as if you are pedaling a bicycle
Twisted knee raise.
- Hang from a pull-up bar with an overhand grip
- Lift your knees toward your chest, while simultaneously twisting your lower body to one side
- Lower your knees back down and repeat on the other side
VIDEOS
10 minute video, with one dumbbell (same excellent instructor as above)
10 minute video, with dumbbell and resistance band (a different excellent instructor)
Very brief introduction to use of medicine ball while standing
AMAZON
Here are a few links to relevant equipment from Amazon. As an Amazon associate, I may place their links in my articles and earn from activity generated by the links. Each link will show detailed information, pictures and suggestions for other similar or complementary choices.
Doorway pull-up bars (for twisted knee raises)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Hopefully, this information will be of interest to those who are tired of sit-ups or crunches. Or to those who want to avoid back issues that are aggravated by floor abdominal work.
Whatever our situation, let’s not ignore our core muscles. They are fundamental to our posture and functional fitness. Also, why not strive for an abdominal six-pack?
Please leave me any comments or questions in the “Comments” section below. Or email me, richard@myworkoutathome.com.
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