A new way to work those abs

For a new way to work your abdominal muscles, include this move in your training program. It will help you to develop strength and control in your core muscles.

1 Lie on a mat or a soft surface. Extend your right leg: Your knees should be at the same level and your thighs parallel to each other. Stretching your arms in front of you, reach for your toes with your arms parallel to your thighs. Inhale to start.

2 On an exhale, pull your navel toward your spine and use your abdominal muscles to help roll your chest, shoulders and back off the ground. Continue to roll up until you are balancing over your hips. Pause at the top of the lift, then slowly roll back to the starting position. Do 10 to 12 repetitions, then switch legs and repeat.

-- Karen Voight; Karen Voight can be reached at kvoightla@aol.com.