Lower Back & Abs Routine for the Home

I wanted to share with you a little routine that I will do this morning in N2SHAPE's 9 am Group Training. It is for the lower back and abs and is a routine that you can do at home with just a stability ball. If you don't have a stability ball, you can skip that exercise so that you have no excuses.


Bridge with Leg Lift

Lie face up on the floor, knees bent. Push body into a bridge position, supporting your weight on your feet and arms. Straighten one leg up, heel flexed and slowly lower leg out to the side a few inches without moving the rest of the body. Use the abs to stabilize your body and don't hold your breath. Complete 12 reps before switching sides.

Balancing Ab Twist

Begin by lying on your side and push up so that your body is supported by right arm, feet stacked. Straighten left arm and balance for a moment, then sweep the left arm down and twist the body, turning it towards the floor while keeping the rest of the body in place. Squeeze the abs and hold for 2 seconds, then go back to starting position. Repeat for 12 reps before switching sides. To modify, rest the bottom knee on the floor.

Ball Rollouts

Place your arms on the ball, parallel to one another. Pulling your belly button towards your spine and tightening your torso, slowly roll forward until your chest touches the ball. Keeping form, slowly pull your body back using your arms and abdominals. Don't collapse as you roll forward. Repeat for 12 reps.

Bicycle

Lie face up with lower back pressed to the floor. Cradle head in your hands, elbows out, and bend right knee, pulling it towards your chest while touching the knee with the opposite elbow. Begin a slow pedal motion by touching opposite elbow to opposite knee, alternating each side. Keep the abs pulled in (don't let them bulge out) and breath continuously. Repeat for 12 reps (one rep is to the right and left).

Back Extensions

Lie face down with hands either behind the back or lightly cradling the head. Lift upper body off the ground a few inches, keeping head and neck in alignment. For a challenge, lift feet off the ground keeping legs straight (knees don't have to be together), hold for 2-4 counts and lower. Repeat for 12 reps.