When you think about exercises for tight stomach muscles, you probably envision long, slow crunches, but there are other exercises that can help tighten your abdominal muscles as well. Pilates instructor course can tackle a topic with regards to exercising your tight muscles.

Bicycles

Bicycle crunches don’t require any equipment, and they work both the obliques and the rectus abdominis. To perform bicycles, lie flat on your back with your hands behind your head. Bring one knee to your chest while you lift your shoulder blades off the floor and twist toward that knee with the opposite elbow. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side. Do 10 repetitions on each side to complete one set. Perform three sets of bicycles every other day.

Hip Raises

Hip raises are a simple exercise that help tone your entire lower body, including your abdominals. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle and hold them in this position for 60 seconds. Perform three sets of hip raises every other day to tone and tighten your abdominal muscles.

Squat Thrusts

Squat thrusts also require no equipment, and they work all parts of the body including the abs. To perform squat thrusts, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

ight stomach muscles can be caused by several conditions, including pregnancy, obesity or aging. But in most cases, it is the result of poor posture and lack of exercise.

If you are ready to get rid of your tight stomach muscles, here are some effective exercises you can do at home.

Crunches

Step 1

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor or a yoga mat. If you have difficulty balancing with your legs straight, you can place a chair or bed behind you for support.

Step 2

Place your hands behind your head with the elbows extended outward. Alternatively, place them on either side of your body. Do not cross them across your chest as this may strain your neck.

Step 3

Slowly roll up onto your shoulders until the upper back leaves the floor. To keep the neck in alignment with the spine, tuck the chin slightly toward the chest rather than looking upward as you roll up.

Step 4

Hold this position briefly before slowly rolling back down to the starting position.

eople who are looking for a workout that will give them a sculpted midsection should look for exercises that target the rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis and obliques. The rectus abdominis is the muscle group that makes up the famous “six pack,” while the transversus abdominis wraps around the body like a girdle and helps to stabilize it during movement. The obliques are on either side of this muscle group, and they help to flex the torso.

Crunches

One of the most popular stomach-strengthening exercises is the crunch. To do a crunch, simply lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and hands behind your head. Contract your abs and lift your shoulders off the ground until you can feel your abdominal muscles working. Hold for two seconds and slowly lower back down to the floor. Crunches are also sometimes called situps or abdominal curls, but experts debate whether these exercises are actually effective at strengthening stomach muscles.

Reverse Crunches

Reverse crunches work the same muscle group as regular crunches but from a different angle. Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and hands at your sides.

The abdominal muscles, often referred to as the abs, are a vital component of the core. The core is the midsection of the body and includes the torso, hips and lower back. Having a strong core will improve balance, posture and stability. Working out your abs just one day a week is not going to reveal six-pack abs, but it will help you build strength in these muscles and burn calories.

Sample Ab Exercises

Abdominal crunches are performed by lying on your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Place your hands behind your head and slowly bring your head up towards your knees while contracting your stomach muscles. Hold this position for five seconds and then slowly lower yourself back down to the floor. Repeat this exercise 15 times for three sets.

The plank exercise can be done on an exercise mat or on the floor. Lie face down with your elbows bent at 90 degrees with your hands directly below your shoulders. Lift up from this position so that only your forearms and toes are resting on the floor or mat with no other parts of your body touching the ground or mat. Contracting your stomach muscles, hold this position for 30 seconds before lowering yourself back down to the floor or mat. Find out how to get away with tight muscles.