Stretch Your Abs!

We all need a cooling down process� for every workout. This is also known as the most suitable time to stretch your muscles. Therefore, you are able to gain optimum benefit for your abdominals. Stretches are aimed to increase the elasticity of your muscles and thus prevent injuries from occurring. Read on to learn a few stretching exercises you can perform before doing your ab workouts!

Seated Waist - Sit on the floor with your legs crossed. Place your left hand on the floor for support and then stretch your right hands up above your head. Straighten your back while you lift your ribcage up and out of your hips. Now, lean over to the left as you feel a stretch along the right-hand side of your body. Hold for 15 seconds and then repeat on the other side.

Cobra - Lie on the floor on your front and place your hands flat on the floor with your thumbs level with your armpits. While breathing out, raise your head up slowly, arching your back. Try to keep the lower back motionless. Feel your chest open and your spine lengthening. Keep the movements slow. Hold for 10 seconds, return slowly to the floor and repeat.

Cat Curls - Kneel with your hands on the floor. Make sure that your fingers point forward and your hands directly under the line of your shoulders; you knees would be in line with your hips. Hollow your back, at the same time gently raising your head. Slowly arch your back, vertebra by vertebra, into a hunch while dropping your head. Do it 10 times slowly.

Following a consistent stretching program helps promote flexible abdominal muscles and what's more, it will give you an all-over feeling of a relaxed person. End every workout by taking the time to stretch out the major abdominal muscle groups.