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How can I build my abdominal muscles?

Hansa Kanuga
Consultant Physiotherapist,
Apollo clinic,
Vadodara.

Q: I want to increase the side abdomen muscles because at present they are smaller than my chest and hips. How it is possible?

A:You can try the following exercises:-Double Crunches:-(a) Lie on your back with your feet together and hands under your head.(b) Breathe out as you bend your knees and lift them off the floor. At the same time, raise your shoulders so that you are in a semi-sitting position. (c) Hold briefly.(d) Breathe in as you lower your upper body and feet back to the floor.Remember that you cannot do this exercise if you have a weak back.Bicycling(a) Lie on the floor with your hands under your head, elbows on the floor, knees bent and hip width apart.(b) Breathe out as you bend your left knee and draw it towards your chest. Keep your right leg pointing forward.(c) Straighten out your left leg and simultaneously bend your right knee and draw it towards your chest. Remember to keep your lower back on the floor and your abdominal muscles contracted during this exercise.You can also do bench presses, in sitting - Trunk turning.As you have not mentioned your chest and hip measurements, you will have to go about on average basis.