plank exercise

Exercising your core and ab muscles should be part of everyones daily workout.  Here is one exercise I found to be a great precursor to traditional ab crunches.

Hold your body in a plank position.  (For those of you unfamiliar with this, lie on your stomach then push up on your hands so that you are on your hands and toes with your hands directly under your shoulders.  It is called a plank because your body should be as straight as a plank of wood, no bottoms up in the air. and contract your abs.)

Now from a plank position bring your right knee in to your chest and hold for 6 counts, then without touching the ground, extend your leg straight back and hold off the ground for 6 counts, then lower toe back down to plank position.  Repeat on left side.  Do at least four reps on each leg.  Remember to keep your abs pulled in tight.

This is a great way to pre-exhaust your abs before you do your crunches for the day.