Ab Exercise Suggestions

LKHoffa

I really want to keep doing ab exercises during pregnancy so my muscles there stay strong during all this chaos! 

In the last few weeks, I have experienced a lot of cramping after doing crunches and bicycles. I just now read that after the first trimester, you shouldn't do ab exercises laying on the ground, unless you are bringing your legs up.

So besides planking (which I do, but I can only do for a little bit before I am over it!) does anyone have any good recommendations? If so, please explain thoroughly or post a video!! I love to switch things up, so any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated!

crossfitkiwi

I have been subbing russian twists for situps: https://www.jillianmichaels.com/fit/the-regimen/exercises/russian-twists

I normally do them with a 10lb medicine ball but if you want to use weight you can use any heavy object!

Mztwilson

Side planks.

xnbride

you can do isometric holds of the muscle group in your stomach. It will keep the ab muscles tight.  Basically you just tense the muscles in your abdomen and hold for as long as you can. .  Release and repeat.  Do it repeatedly throughout the day.

  Planks work your abs too, just don't fall on your belly. Any ab excercise you do lying down you can do standing up.

ncbelle

Planks or prenatal pilates.

allrightmeow

This is great info

Lynnja616

Boat pose, Russian twists w/med ball, wood choppers w/med ball

FeliciaTwo

I've heard a good exercise is: pull in your belly so that you pull your naval towards your back. (Like you're "sucking it in"). Hold. a few seconds, making sure to keep breathing.

lola4411

get in a high plank on your hands and bring your knee to the outside of your elbow (right knee to right elbow, left knee to left elbow).  you can also bring the opposite knee to opposite elbow inside the plank.

another good one is get on all fours and extend left arm and right leg slowly then repeat on other side.  try to keep balance and your body from shifting to one side or the other.

mountain climbers are good ones too and include a bit of cardio.