Abdomen strengthening advice

MikeyOreo

Hi ladies and gents!

A little help?

I have a very weak core/abdomen as I have had a diaphragmatic hernia as a child.
That has left me with very poor muscle tone and strength in my abdomen.

What exercise is best for strengthening it?
I'm sure sit ups are a myth, but am I wrong?

Thanks for your help!

Mike

kaspatore

PLANKS, PLANKS and more PLANKS

Lasmartchika

Pilates

sofaking6

I have a DVD that showed me a lot of moves (Bob Harper Totally Ripped Core). There are a ton of different moves and only a few situps at the very end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RALniLPoD3I

mustgetmuscles1

Sit ups and crunches are fine so are any of the many variations. Planks are good as well. Then there is the twisting exercises like Russian twists and windshield wipers. Other good ones would be hanging leg raises, dragon flags, reverse sit up.

Really all of them work for engaging the muscles and making them stronger through there particular range of motion.

Heavy compound lifts like the squat, deadlifts, over head press, pull over, bench press all work those muscles also. Many people have really strong cores and dont do any direct ab work other than the heavy compound weight lifting.

MikeyOreo

Thanks for the replies!

Miss Sofa King I'll definitely be looking at that vid!

Cherimoose

mustgetmuscles1 wrote: »

Heavy compound lifts like the squat, deadlifts, over head press, pull over, bench press all work those muscles also. Many people have really strong cores and dont do any direct ab work other than the heavy compound weight lifting.

I like this answer the best. Develop a strong body to have a strong core.

Keep in mind that ab exercises don't selectively reduce ab fat, if that's what you mean by "poor muscle tone".

MikeyOreo

No I mean I have a lack of abdominal muscle because of my birth condition.
More effecting my left side.

rainbowbow

My personal favorite are lemon squeezers, jack knifes, leg raises, throwdowns, and bicycles.