Is There Any Benefit From Flexing Your Abs Whenever You Can? Find Out Here
We all know that we’re supposed to work our abs regularly if we want to maintain a healthy and toned midsection.
We all aspire to get those impressive “washboard abs” but sometimes the process of getting there can be a bit confusing.
One question that often comes up is: Is there any benefit from flexing your abs whenever you can?
Is it worth bothering those times when we can’t actually do any ab exercises? The answers to this and more awaits…
Is there any benefit from flexing your abs whenever you can?
The simple answer is yes, there can be benefits from flexing your abs even when you’re not doing any specific ab exercises. This is because flexing your abs can help to engage and strengthen the muscles in your core. You are essentially contracting the muscles in your abdomen and this can help to tone the area while flexing your abs can also help to improve your posture. This is because when you flex your abs, you are also engaging the muscles in your lower back and pelvis, which can help to keep your spine in alignment. It can also protect these areas from injury because the muscles in your core act like a supportive corset and by flexing these muscles regularly, you can help to keep them strong and healthy. Flexing your abs when recovering from an injury can help to speed up the healing process by protecting the injured area and preventing further injury if you aren’t able to do any specific exercises for a while. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you are going to start flexing your abs more frequently. First of all, be sure not to overdo it. If you flex your abs too often or too forcefully, you could end up causing pain in your lower back and abdominal area. Additionally, if you flex your abs too much, you may find that your breathing becomes shallow, if this happens be sure to stop flexing your abs and take a few deep breaths. Finally, if you have any pre-existing injuries or conditions in your lower back or pelvis, be sure to consult with your doctor or physical therapist before starting any new exercises or flexing your abs more frequently.
Core Muscles and flexing
So, what exactly are the core muscles? The core muscles are the group of muscles that surround your spine and pelvis. They include the muscles in your lower back, pelvis, and abdomen.
The main function of the core muscles is to stabilize these areas, and they do this by contracting (or flexing) when you move. The core muscles are important not only for maintaining a healthy and toned midsection but also for protection from injury.
When you flex a muscle, you are essentially contracting (or shortening) the muscle. This causes the muscle to become thicker and harder. Flexing a muscle can help to improve the muscle’s strength and endurance.
Additionally, flexing a muscle can also help to improve the muscle’s tone. When a muscle is toned, it means that the muscle is healthy and able to contract properly. The better condition a muscle is in, the better it will be able to perform its functions.
Isometric exercises
One type of exercise that can be beneficial for toning your abs is isometric exercise. Isometric exercises are those in which you contract (or flex) a muscle without actually moving the body part that the muscle is attached to.
For example, if you were to sit in a chair and try to lift the chair off of the ground by contracting your abdominal muscles, you would be doing an isometric exercise.
Other examples of isometric exercises include:
• holding a plank position
• doing a wall sit
• contracting your muscles while sitting in a chair
Isometric exercises can be beneficial for toning your abs because they cause you to flex your abdominal muscles without actually moving your body. This helps to engage and strengthen the muscles in your core without putting any unnecessary strain on this region.
Additionally, isometric exercises can also help to improve your posture. This is because when you contract your muscles without moving your spine or pelvis, you are essentially training your muscles to keep them in alignment.
This can help to prevent pain and can also help to improve your overall posture.
Recovering from injury
Another time when flexing your abs can be beneficial is when you are recovering from an injury. This is because, as we mentioned earlier, flexing your abs can help to stabilize your spine and pelvis.
If you have an injury in your lower back or pelvis, flexing your abs can help to take the pressure off of the injured area and can also help to prevent further injury.
This also helps if you have restricted range of motion too, as you can use the abs to help stabilize and keep your core in alignment as you move.
Additionally, flexing your abs can also help to improve your balance and coordination. This is because the core muscles play an important role in maintaining balance and stability.
Once your muscles are recovered enough to increase their range of motion, it’s crucial you begin to add more movement into your routine to fully recover.
This is where adding in some specific ab exercises can be beneficial. Ab exercises help to target the muscles in your core and can help to improve the muscle’s strength, endurance, and tone.
Related: If I don’t train my abs am I risking injury?
It will help maintain core strength but…
Regularly flexing your abs can help to maintain the strength of the muscles in your core. This is important as it will help to keep your spine and pelvis stabilized and will also help to prevent injuries in these areas.
Furthermore, having robust core muscles can help you stand up straighter. This is because the stronger your core muscles are, the better they will be able to support your spine and pelvis.
However, it is important to note that regularly flexing your abs will not give you six-pack abs. This is because the only way to see visible abdominal gains is to lose body fat.
Additionally, it is important to note that doing ab exercises will not reduce body fat in the abdominal area. This means that doing ab exercises will not help to get rid of belly fat.
The only way to lose belly fat is to create a calorie deficit by eating less and/or exercising more.
So, while regularly flexing your abs can help to improve the strength of the muscles in your core, it will not give you visible abdominal gains unless you also lose body fat.
Flexing too much may cause postural issues
While there are some benefits to flexing your abs, it is important to note that there can also be some drawbacks.
One potential downside to flexing your abs is that it can lead to postural issues. This is because, when you flex your abs, you are essentially pulling your pelvis and spine out of alignment.
This can lead to pain in the lower back and pelvis, as well as poor posture. Additionally, this can also lead to conditions such as lordosis and kyphosis (in extreme circumstances).
Lordosis is an excessively curved lower back, while kyphosis is an excessively curved upper back.
Both of these conditions can be painful and can cause a number of other issues. Therefore, it is important to be careful not to flex your abs too much, as this can lead to postural problems.
It is also important to note that, while flexing your abs can help to improve your posture, it is only temporary. Once you stop flexing your abs, your posture will return to its original state.
This means that, if you want to improve your posture permanently, you need to focus on exercises that will help to strengthen the muscles in your back and pelvis.
Some examples of exercises that can help to improve posture include Pilates, yoga, and resistance training.
It is also important to focus on maintaining good posture throughout the day. This means avoiding slouching and sitting or standing up straight.
May make you stiff, tense and rigid
Another potential downside to flexing your abs is that it can make you feel stiff, tense, and rigid.
This is because, when you flex your abs, you are essentially contracting the muscles in your abdomen. This can lead to a feeling of tension and can make it difficult to relax.
Additionally, this can also lead to muscle stiffness, as the muscles in your abdomen will be in a constant state of contraction. This can make it difficult to move and can cause pain.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of these potential drawbacks before flexing your abs too much.
Flexing your abs can have some benefits, but it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks before doing so.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, it is best to consult a doctor or physiotherapist before continuing.
Flexing too much may reduce air intake
Another potential downside to flexing your abs is that it can reduce air intake.
This is because, when you flex your abs, you are essentially contracting the muscles in your abdomen which can lead to shallow breathing, as the muscles in your abdomen will be in a constant state of contraction.
This can make it difficult to take deep breaths and therefore, it is important to be aware of these potential drawbacks before flexing your abs too much.
Although you can achieve some benefits by flexing your abs, there are also a few disadvantages that might occur.
If you are going to be flexing your abs, it’s worth looking into some correct breathing techniques to ensure you are not restricting your air intake.
Compound movements work core
Another potential benefit of flexing your abs is that you are working your core when doing a lot of compound movements anyway.
A lot of compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, and presses, will naturally engage the muscles in your core.
Flexing your abs during these movements can help to further engage the muscles in your core and can lead to a stronger, more stable core.
By flexing your abs during compound movements, you are also helping to protect your spine. This is because the muscles in your core will help to stabilize your spine and can help to prevent injuries.
So, not only can flexing your abs help to improve your posture and reduce the risk of pain, but it can also help to improve your strength and stability.
Related: Why do people feel sick when they do ab workouts?
Abdominal bracing and diaphragmatic breathing
When flexing your abs, it is also important to focus on abdominal bracing (more on this below) and diaphragmatic breathing.
Abdominal bracing is the process of contracting your abs in order to stabilize your spine. This is important when flexing your abs, as it can help to prevent injuries.
Diaphragmatic breathing is a type of breathing that uses your diaphragm to expand your lungs. This type of breathing is important when flexing your abs, as it can help to improve your breathing and prevent shallow breathing.
So, if you are going to be flexing your abs, it is important to focus on abdominal bracing and diaphragmatic breathing. This will help to improve your safety and prevent injuries.
Although there are benefits to exercising your abs, it is crucial to know the potential disadvantages as well.
Stomach vacuums
One ab exercise that can help to improve your posture is the stomach vacuum.
The stomach vacuum is an isometric exercise that involves contracting your abs and breathing out.
This exercise can help to improve your posture by strengthening the muscles in your core and helping to keep your spine in alignment.
The stomach vacuum can also help to improve your breathing and can help to prevent shallow breathing.
So, if you are looking for an exercise that can help to improve your posture and breathing, the stomach vacuum is a good option.
To do the stomach vacuum, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
Then, contract your abs and breathe out. Hold this position for 10 seconds and then release.
Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
If you want to make the exercise more challenging, you can hold a weight in your hands while doing the exercise.
The stomach vacuum is a good exercise to do if you are looking for benefits from flexing your abs.
The Valsalva manoeuvre
Another exercise that can help to improve your posture and breathing is the Valsalva manoeuvre.
The Valsalva maneuver is an isometric exercise that involves contracting your abs and bearing down.
This exercise can help to improve your posture by helping to keep your spine in alignment.
The Valsalva manoeuvre can also help to improve your breathing and can help to prevent shallow breathing.
So, if you are looking for an exercise that can help to improve your posture and breathing, the Valsalva manoeuvre is a good option.
To do the Valsalva manoeuvre, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
Then, contract your abs and bear down. Hold this position for 10 seconds and then release.
Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
If you’re looking to up the ante, try holding a weight in each hand while doing the exercise, just like you would with the stomach vacuum.
The Valsalva manoeuvre is a good exercise to do if you are looking for benefits from flexing your abs.
Related: Why do my ribs hurt after doing sit-ups?
Final thoughts…
There are many benefits that you can get from flexing your abs. However, it is important to focus on safety when doing any exercises that involve flexing your abs.
If you are looking for benefits from flexing your abs, the stomach vacuum and the Valsalva manoeuvre are two good exercises to try.
Both of these exercises can help to improve your posture and breathing. Additionally, they can help to prevent shallow breathing.
So, if you are looking for benefits from flexing your abs, focus on abdominal bracing and diaphragmatic breathing. This will help to improve your safety and prevent injuries.
Do you flex your abs whenever you can? Let us know in the comments below.
