About Abs : What Are Your Abs ?

Ok so you have heard all about abs , but what exactly are your abs ?  Abs (short for abdominal) muscles are the muscles that run from your lower ribs to your pelvis area.

Your abdominal muscles consist of a group of 6 muscles and are very important for providing support and movement to the bodies trunk (the core).  They also help with the process of breathing.

The six abdominal muscles all help with the posture of your body.  The abs muscles that are closest to your spine (deepest within the body) will provide the greatest support for your spine which in turn will help prevent back ache and back problems and will help in maintaining a healthy spine.

abdominal muscles

Your abdominal muscles are a grouping of the following muscles :

• TRAVERSE ABDOMINUS - This abdominal muscle is the deepest within your body and thus provides the strongest effect on your posture and provides the most support for your spine.  This muscle can not be touched or seen from the outside of teh body.
• INTERNAL OBLIQUES - These are a pair of muscles located on each side of the torso.  This pair of muscles are slightly more superficial than transverse abdominus muscle, but still provide good postural support, particullarly with regard to body rotation and lateral flexing.
• EXTERNAL OBLIQUES - This pair of muscles are also found on each side of the torso.  The external obliques are located closer to the surface of the body and consequently do not have as much effect on posture.  They do however help considerably with body rotation and lateral flexing.
• RECTUS ABDOMINUS - This is the most superficial of the abdominal muscle group.  It has the least effect on posture and is the muscle that is largely responsible for the toned abs, six pack look.

The abdominal muscles also assit in the breathing process.  During exhalation they help to force air out from the lungs by applying pressure to the thorax.