Looking for the best lower abdominal exercises?

The first thing you need to know in your quest for gorgeous abs and finding the best lower abdominal exercises is that there are four components to achieving an enviable midsection.

Many people mistakenly believe that, if only they could find that "magic" lower abdominal exercise, they could get rid of their stomach. Unfortunately, flattening and toning the tummy area is a bit more complicated than that--but it doesn't have to be hard, or mysterious. Here's what you need to do:

1. Reduce overall body fat levels.

2. Reduce or eliminate foods that cause bloating or indigestion

3. Tone the upper, side, and lower abdominals

4. Improve Your Posture

1. Reduce Overall Body fat Levels

Reducing body fat levels is the first order of the day if you'd like better abs.

If your goal is to reduce body fat, you need to:

1. Perform a full-body resistance training routine 2-3 times per week. Upper, oblique, and lower abdominal exercises all can be included, but be sure to hit ALL the muscles of your body, not just your abs.

2. Perform cardiovascular exercise 3-5 times per week.

3. Include sufficient protein, essential fatty acids (EFAs), and the correct amount of total calories in your diet to facilitate weight loss.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you need to do "spot reducing" exercises to flatten your lower stomach.

2. Reduce or Eliminate Foods that Cause Bloating or Indigestion

Sugar alcohols are the primary reason for bloating and a poofy lower stomach. Diet and sugar-free foods often contain sugar alcohols. Sugar-free chewing gum is another common source. I've seen a number of people lose at least 2 inches off their stomach simply from avoiding sugar alcohols!

The same can be said for carbonated beverages in general. The extra air in the drinks can contribute to extra air in the stomach, which causes an enlarged abdomen.

Food allergies are another common culprit for bloating and indigestion, which can make your lower abdominal region "pouch" out. If this is happening to you, no lower abdominal exercises will help until you address the bloating. The following eight foods account for about 90% of all food allergies:
--Milk
--Egg
--Peanuts
--Tree nuts (walnuts, cashews, etc.)
--Fish
--Shellfish
--Soy
--Wheat

3. Tone the Abs with Abdominal Exercises

You need to strengthen the abdominal muscles to help flatten and firm your stomach. Performing 2-6 sets of exercises for your abs three times per week should do the trick. You should perform moves that initiate from the upper, side, and lower abdominals.

Try These Best Abs Exercises