Tag Archives: rectus abdominus

Lying Windshield Wiper

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HOME EXERCISE OF THE WEEK

The Lying Windshield Wiper is a great ab exercise that is going to activate your core stabilizing muscles, specifically the obliques and the rectus abdominus muscle. The exercise also causes muscle activation of the gluteal muscles to help stabilize the hip and it is also beneficial for those with low back pain as the core activation component helps stabilize the spine.

The straight leg version as seen in the video is challenging so if you are having trouble maintaining proper form then you can bend your legs at the knees for an easier version.

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Lying Windshield Wiper.

  • start by laying on the floor with your arms extended out to your sides and both legs raised up 90 degrees
  • pull your belly button in towards your spine to keep your abs engaged throughout the movement
  • slowly lower both legs to one side stopping short of touching the floor
  • return to the center and then lower both legs slowly to the other side
  • repeat for your desired amount of reps or time
  • as these get easier to do, try bringing your arms closer to your body so they offer less stability
  • bend your legs at the knees for an easier version if the straight leg version is too challenging

So there you have the Lying Windshield Wiper. You will be well on your way to a strong core with this one! Let me know how you do in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!

Kettlebell Wood Chopper

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Hey there, I have a new Home Exercise of the Week for you to try called the Kettlebell Wood Chopper.  This is a great full body exercise that primarily works your core (especially obliques), quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and shoulders.

If you don’t have a kettlebell you can also do this with a medicine ball, dumbbell, or any weighted object you have at home that is easy to hold on to.

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Kettlebell Wood Chopper.

  • stand tall with your feet shoulder width apart and toes pointed slightly outward
  • hold the kettlebell down in front of you
  • descend in to a squat while keeping your abs tight and twist to your left so the kettlebell is to the outside of your left leg
  • keep your weight on your heels throughout the squat
  • come up from the squat position while swinging the kettlebell up and diagonally to the right
  • at the top position make sure your feet are firmly planted and your upper body is twisted to the right
  • keep your abs engaged throughout the movement
  • keep your arms as straight as you can and lower the kettlebell back down and to the left as you squat
  • repeat for your desired amount or reps or time and then repeat for your right side

So there you have the Kettlebell Wood Chopper.  Add this exercise to your full body routine or as part of your ab routine.  Your obliques will thank you for it!

Let me know how you do with this one in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!

Burpee Medicine Ball Overhead Toss

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Hello, it’s time again for a new Home Exercise of the Week.  This week I have another variation of everyone’s favourite exercise…the burpee!  I call it the Burpee Medicine Ball Overhead Toss.

This variation of the burpee is going to give your core an extra challenge since you will be adding the instability of placing your hands on the ball when you’re in the full plank position.  As with other burpees, you will also be working your legs, shoulders, and arms.  The shoulders will get an extra workout as well with the overhead throw of the medicine ball.  And don’t forget the cardiovascular conditioning you will get when your heart is pumping hard during this exercise!

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Burpee Medicine Ball Overhead Toss.

  • crouch down and place a medicine ball down on the floor in front of you
  • keeping your hands on the ball and under your chest, jump your feet back until you are fully extended in a full plank position
  • keep your abs engaged to maintain your balance on the medicine ball
  • from this full plank position, jump your feet back up and underneath you then pick the ball up and stand up while trying to keep your back as straight as possible (like standing up from a squat)
  • once you are fully upright throw the medicine ball straight up over your head and then catch it on the way back down
  • lower the ball to the floor and repeat the movement for your desired amount of reps or time

So there you have the Burpee Medicine Ball Overhead Toss.  Add this fun variation of the burpee in to your full body routine and let the sweating begin!

Let me know how you do with this one in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!

Triangle Jump

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Hey, it’s Home Exercise of the Week time again and this week I have a cardiovascular and core exercise for you to try that I call the Triangle Jump.

The Triangle Jump is primarily a core exercise but you will also be working many other muscle groups including your shoulders, triceps, and legs.  This move is also kind of like a burpee which makes it a fairly intense cardiovascular exercise.  Your heart will be pumping and you will be sweating!

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Triangle Jump.

  • start in a full plank pushup position with your hands directly under your shoulders
  • engage your abs and glutes and keep your back straight
  • jump your feet forward so that they are tucked in underneath you
  • from this tucked position jump both feet back and out to the left at about a 45 degree angle
  • jump both feet back up to the middle and tucked in underneath you
  • now jump both feet back and out to the right at the same 45 degree angle
  • return to the middle and keep jumping side to side for your desired amount of reps or time
  • keep your abs and glutes flexed throughout the movement

So there you have the Triangle Jump.  It’s intense.  It will make you sweat.  Your muscles will be burning.  It will be worth it.

Let me know how you do with this one in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!

Cross Body V Up

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Hey there, it’s time for a new Home Exercise of the Week!  This week I have another great core exercise for you to try called the Cross Body V Up.

The Cross Body V Up is going to work your upper and lower abdominal muscles as well as your obliques and hip flexor muscles.  There are a couple of ways to do this exercise.  The first is with one of your legs bent and the other is with both legs straight.  The bent leg version is a bit more challenging than the straight leg version so do the version that challenges you the most.

Let’s take a look at the key performance points of the Cross Body V Up.

  • start by laying down face up on the floor with both arms down by your side
  • keep your right knee bent and straighten your left leg
  • keep your left arm down along side your body and extend your right arm behind your head (this will be the starting position)
  • engage your abs by pulling your belly button in and down towards the floor
  • raise your left leg up in the air while at the same time raising your right arm up towards your left leg
  • keep your head as straight as possible throughout and really squeeze your abs at the top of the movement
  • slowly return the right arm and left leg back toward the starting position but don’t let your left foot, right arm, or head touch the ground (this will keep tension on the abs)
  • repeat for your desired amount of reps or time
  • once you have completed the set, switch sides so that your left leg is bent and your left arm is extended behind your head
  • complete your desired amount of reps or time for this side

So there you have the Cross Body V Up.  This is a very effective core exercise that will have your abs burning!

Let me know how you like this one in the comments below or if you have any questions.

See you next week with another new exercise!