Fitness

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Core-strength exercises strengthen abs and other core muscles

Core-strength exercises strengthen your core muscles, including your abdominal muscles, back muscles, and the muscles around the pelvis. You can do many core-strength exercises with a fitness ball. In general, use a fitness ball sized so that your knees are at a right angle when you sit on the ball with your feet flat on the floor. Do each core-strength exercise five times. As you get stronger, gradually increase to 10 to 15 repetitions. Breathe freely and deeply and focus on tightening your abs during each core-strength exercise. If you have back problems, osteoporosis or any other health concern, talk to your doctor before doing these core-strength exercises.

1. Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 14, 2011.
2. Krupa NL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 8, 2011.
3. Selecting and effectively using stability balls. American College of Sports Medicine. http://www.acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=brochures2&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=4740. Accessed July 6, 2011.