About the Abdominals
Your abs bend your spine forward and help you sit up. They work opposite to your lower back muscles. When you do a sit-up, your abs are working. They also help you breathe and protect your organs.
- Rectus Abdominis: Runs down the middle of your stomach. It's the only ab muscle that can bend your spine forward.
- Transverse Abdominis: Deep muscle that wraps around your waist like a corset. It's the first muscle that activates when you brace your core.
- Internal Obliques: Run diagonally under your external obliques. They help you twist your torso to the opposite side.
- External Obliques: Run diagonally on the sides of your stomach. They help you twist your torso to the same side and bend sideways.