That lower belly pooch is both annoying and seems impossible to get rid of!   While changing your eating can make a huge difference, so can lower abdominal exercises.   These lower ab exercises will help you firm and tighten your lower belly pouch without throwing out your back!   These have been tried and tested by myself and the body burn bootcamp members 😉

Lower Ab Exercises That WORK ! 

  There’s 2 ways to do this exercise.   You can either hold your legs and knees up for as long as possible (3 sets) OR you can pulse your knees and legs up for a count of 15 repetitions, 3 sets.   This small but simple movement makes a BIG impact on those tiny lower abdominal muscles. Trainer Tips:  Breath out while brining your knees up (if pulsing).  Try to keep your back flat against the wall and hold our stomach in during the duration of this exercise.  

  “How to do it: Sit with your legs extended, feet flexed, hands just outside your hips with your fingertips facing your forward. Brace your abs in tight and press down through your arms to lift your hips a few inches off of the floor. Bend your knees slightly, keeping your heels on the ground. Inhale and scoop your abs in deeper towards your back, and as you exhale, fully extend your legs and try to push your hips slightly behind your shoulders. Hold for 1 count. Bend your knees and return hips under your shoulders to gently lower to the floor. That’s one rep. Repeat up to 3 sets of 10 -15  reps (source).

Trainer Tip:  Bad wrists??   Try using push up handles to do this exercise.   Face them forward to allow your wrists to stay straight during this exercise.

How to do: Diamond Crunches

Lie on your back with knees out to the sides and soles of your feet touching. Bring your arms out in front and lift your shoulder blades off the ground. Hold a moment at the top and ease back down (source).

Besides vanity reasons, lower abs act to control bodily functions!   If you want to avoid using daily feminine napkins in your older years, keeping your lower abs strong is essential.   Lower abs and abdominal muscles in general allow you to maintain your balance (so you don’t fall), support your lower back, and help you to maintain proper posture.   Keep these lower ab exercise in your back pocket for your next workout.   I recommend doing 10 – 20 repetitions / 2 – 3 sets, 3-4 times a week.    Stay tuned for part 2 of this series of Low Ab Pooch Be Gone !

Adria