Abdominal Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders.

The abdomen contains the muscles that most beginners struggle with because they take a long time to develop and need a low level of body fat to be seen. The abdominal muscle group consists of three main muscles:

1. Rectus abdominis - commonly known as the abs, this is a large flat muscle wall that runs from the lower chest to the pubic bone.

2. Obliquus abdominis - commonly known as the obliques, this muscle runs diagonally along the side of the mid-section from the lower ribcage to the pubic area. The internal obliques lie underneath the external obliques.

3. Transversus abdominis - this is a thin strip of muscle that runs horizontally across the abdomen.

You can target these muscles effectively by performing the following exercises:

1. Crunches - 3 sets of 15-20 reps. This exercise will work the upper abs.

2. Pelvic tilts - 3 sets of 15-20 reps.This exercise will target the lower portion of the abdomen below the navel.

3. Side bends - 3 sets of 15-20 reps. This exercise will work the obliques.

As with all exercises you need to take care in scheduling specific body parts. To begin with you should incorporate your abdominal exercises into a program similar to the one suggested below:

Day 1: Biceps, Back, Abs

Day 2: Hamstrings, Shoulders, Abs

Day 3: Quads, Forearms, Calves

Day 4: Triceps, Chest, Abs

For the first couple of weeks complete one set but then add one set each week to a maximum of three. At the end of three months you will be ready to move on to more intensive intermediate level exercises.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

In The News:


Bodybuilding Workouts - Muscle Building Workouts
PWO, France - Jan 7, 2009
As a man, I typically look for exercises that will help me build muscle mass, rather than burn calories. It basically all comes down to your body type and ...

Yes, yoga can build muscle strength too
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, AR - Jan 5, 2009
Working through the body's weak points, retraining muscles, building flexibility, teaching balance: All these flow from yoga practice, even if it's limited ...

Working together to build champions – meet the Frerich family
Bandera County Courier, TX - 11 hours ago
“But you have to run them a lot to build up their muscles and sometimes the lambs are lazy and don’t want to run. Judges want to see muscles in the legs and ...

Building better business in downtown Fort Myers
Cape Coral Daily Breeze, FL - 5 hours ago
A variety of exercises is the best way to build lean muscles and consequently burn more fat, he said. "Muscle equals metabolism. ...

Who's Your Daddy, Inc. Announces It Sells over 300000 Sports ...
Business Wire (press release), CA - 17 hours ago
Lastly, Arginine is broken down by the body into creatine, a substance used by athletes to build muscle size and strength. Michael Dunn, CEO stated, ...

Gaining weight safely
KHSL - Jan 7, 2009
... your weight gain; exercise has numerous health benefits. Instead, consider adding weight training workouts to build muscle and help fill out your body.

Immune therapy helps boy with rare muscle disorder
CBC.ca, Canada - 14 hours ago
The disease results in a build up of glycogen that leads to muscle damage, including in the heart. In Canada, there are 13 known cases of the disorder, ...

The Vitamin Shoppe lists top 5 healthy resolutions for 2009- NEW ...
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - Jan 6, 2009
For those trying to build muscle in 2009, there are products to help complement the work out in the gym or at home. “Having enough protein is an important ...

Cut carbs, build muscle, lose weight; it’s no miracle
Kansas.com, KS - Dec 30, 2008
Build more muscle, Dr. Cobb said, and you’ll burn more fat, even at rest. To speed up and maximize the effect, I focused on big muscle groups then spent 40 ...

Stemulite Q&A - Build Muscle and Get Ripped without Steroids
Cherry Creek News, CO - Dec 27, 2008
Anabolic steroids merely inflate your muscles (hence the term "juiced") and do not provide permanent results. There are also several harmful side effects of ...
build muscle - Google News

3 Biggest Benefits of Strength Training

Strength training is exercise that uses resistance to strengthen and... Read More

Muscle Gain Visualization Tips

Visualization can play an important part in gaining weight and... Read More

Pipes, Guns, Bazookas - Killer Biceps

Pipes. Guns. Bazookas.Take your pick. Grab your weapon of choice.This... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Decline Dumbbell Bench Press

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Overcoming Fears And Unproductive Thinking

You might sometimes wonder whether your dedication and sacrifice will... Read More

How Long Should You Rest Between Muscle Building Sessions?

In an earlier article we concluded that muscles must be... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Biceps Curl

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Why my Lactate Threshold Training is better than any other Strength Training System

It's a very simple training system. Consisting of using your... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - One-Arm Dumbbell Rows

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Strength Training Strategies that Actually Work

Over the years there has been a surge of different... Read More

Building Better Biceps

Two of the nine pivot points - those stunning body... Read More

Power Mass Training for Building Muscle Mass

Many people believe you need to train with a variety... Read More

Weight Gain Myths

The vast majority of myths about weight gain are mostly... Read More

An Amazing Technique That Can Make Your Gains Skyrocket While Others Have Reached A Sticking Point!

If you clearly understand and apply the principles involved in... Read More

Bodybuilding Protein

What helps make comedy also builds muscle?This is key to... Read More

Building Muscle Mass With A Power Cycle

Building muscle mass with a power cycle. Desperate for pounds... Read More

Dorian Yates Secret: What Lean People Are Doing To Get That Way

A consensus has arisen within the bodybuilding world over the... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Back Squat

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

NO2 Muscle Enhancing Hemodialator

Whenever I go to the gym and tell a friend... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Upright Row

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Build More Muscle Mass And Strength Without Supplements

Who should use this method to build muscle quickly?If you're... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Wrist Curl

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Dumbbell Exercises That Suit Beginners

The aim for beginners to weight training must be to... Read More

Bodybuilding Sins That Cause Back Pain and Missed Workouts: Part 2

Welcome to article number 2 in our series "Bodybuilding Sins... Read More

The Seven Pillars Of Success

VisionEnvisioning the end-result is enough to put the wheels in... Read More