[Infographic] The Ab Crunch: Looks, Form and Function

The AB Crunch: Looks, Form, and Function The rectus abdominis, or "abs," are the muscles many of us would like people to see when in a bathing suit. And besides the aesthetics aspect, they are also an important muscle group for function. LOOKS starts at the bottom of the sternum (chest bone) and the front of the ribs in that area It runs down to the top of your pubic bone (part of the pelvic girdle), which is just above your genitals. abs or what's commonly knowns as the "six pack" FORM linea alba external obliques internal obliques A "six pack" has that appearance because of connective tissue. As the abs flow from the ribs to the pelvic girdle, there are three segments of connective tissue in the middle. This where the "six pack" gets its upper, middle, and lower portions. Also, a sheet of connective tissue (linea alba) runs vertically, splitting the abs in half, causing the appearance of six muscles as opposed to three. Secondary muscles in the ab crunch are the external and internal obliques. The obliques are located in the area that many refer to as their “love handles." Believe it or not, the rectus abdominis does not exist only to make you look good in a bathing suit. It is also functionally significant. FUNCTION critical muscles for respiration pull your spine into a 'C' shape critical muscles for child birth major stabilization muscles ***In regards to stabilization, every exercise or sports movement focuses on a small group of joints. For example, throwing a baseball mainly involves the elbow and shoulder joints. For this to occur with optimal efficiency and effectiveness, muscles in various parts of the body contract to hold other parts of your body relatively still. Your abs are one of the most common and important stabilization muscles. The AB Crunch Performing the ab crunch regularly to the muscle exhaustion point of "muscle success" will help your abs and obliques become stronger and more aesthetically noticeable. When the lower back is removed from the pad, the midsection and thighs are now moving closer together. This motion is a hip-based movement called "hip flexion." Hip flexion uses other muscle groups, and these muscle groups exert some force on the lower back. As you "curl" downward, your lower back should press into the lower pad. (Your upper back should stay firmly pressed into the upper pad also.) The less fat between your skin and your abdominal muscles, the easier it is to see definition in your abs. And losing body fat is mainly a result of positive dietary changes. Your desire to see your abs may beckon a change to your diet even more than the use of the ab crunch machine. In summary, "curl" down on the ab crunch machine no further than the point where you feel your lower back will start leaving the back pad. Using the ab crunch will strengthen your abs and obliques, muscles that not only make you look good on the beach but also help with critical life functions. THE PERFECJ. WORKOUT TM www.ThePerfectWorkout.com