Stomach Vacuum
Stomach Vacuum is an exercise that helps to strengthen and tone the abdominal muscles. It is done by standing with feet shoulder width apart and hands on hips. Slowly inhale as much air as possible, and then start to exhale while bringing the stomach in as much as possible and holding for 20 seconds. Visualize your navel touching your backbone during the contraction. This exercise can be done for longer than 20 seconds, and can be increased up to 40-60 seconds with practice. The recommended amount of sets should be followed for best results.
Type:
Stretching
Muscles Used:
Abdominals
Level:
Beginner
Equipment:
Body Only
Benefits Of This Exercise
- Strengthens and tones the abdominal muscles.
- Allows for a deeper contraction of the abdominal muscles.
- Improves coordination and balance.
- Increases overall core strength.
- Helps to improve posture.
- Can help to reduce back pain.
- Enhances the tone of the stomach muscles.
- Provides cardiovascular benefits.
- Can be done anywhere with no equipment.
Step by Step Instructions For Stomach Vacuum
- Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart from each other. Place your hands on your hips. This is the starting position.
- Inhale deeply and then exhale while bringing your stomach in as much as possible. Hold this position, imagining your navel touching your backbone.
- Hold the contraction for about 20 seconds, remembering to breathe normally.
- Inhale and bring your stomach back to the starting position.
- Repeat this exercise for longer durations, gradually increasing the hold time to 40-60 seconds.
- Complete the recommended number of sets.
Warm Up Tips
- Start by standing straight with your feet shoulder width apart and place your hands on your hips.
- Inhale deeply, filling your lungs with as much air as possible.
- Exhale slowly and completely, while pulling your stomach in as much as possible.
- Hold this position for 20 seconds, focusing on visualizing your navel touching your backbone.
- During the hold, try to maintain normal breathing.
- Inhale and release, bringing your stomach back to the starting position.
- As you become more comfortable with the exercise, aim to increase the hold time to 40-60 seconds.
- Repeat the exercise for the recommended amount of sets.
Stomach Vacuum Safety Tips
- Ensure that you are standing straight with your feet shoulder width apart before starting the exercise.
- Place your hands on your hips to maintain stability and balance throughout the exercise.
- Take a slow and controlled inhale to maximize the amount of air in your lungs before starting the exhalation.
- During the exhalation, focus on bringing your stomach in as much as possible while maintaining a comfortable level of contraction.
- Visualize your navel touching your backbone to engage the abdominal muscles effectively.
- Remember to breathe normally during the 20-second hold to avoid any strain or discomfort.
- Gradually increase the duration of the exercise by practicing it for longer than 20 seconds once you become more comfortable and proficient.
- Work your way up to 40-60 seconds of holding the contraction to challenge and strengthen your abdominal muscles further.
- Follow the recommended amount of sets for this exercise to achieve optimal results.
- Listen to your body and stop the exercise if you experience any pain or discomfort.
- If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries, consult with a healthcare professional before attempting this exercise.
Incorporating Into Other Workouts
To incorporate the Stomach Vacuum exercise into your workouts, you can follow these steps:
1. Warm up: Begin your workout with a 5-10 minute warm-up, such as light cardio or dynamic stretches, to prepare your body for exercise.
2. Include it in your core routine: The Stomach Vacuum exercise primarily targets the abdominal muscles. Therefore, you can include it in your core routine, along with other exercises like planks, crunches, and Russian twists.
3. Perform the exercise: Follow the instructions mentioned earlier to perform the Stomach Vacuum exercise correctly. Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart and hands on hips. Inhale deeply, then exhale while bringing your stomach in as much as possible, holding the position for 20 seconds. Visualize your navel touching your backbone during the contraction.
4. Increase duration gradually: As you become comfortable with the exercise, gradually increase the duration of each hold. Start by aiming for 30 seconds, then work your way up to 40-60 seconds with practice. This will help challenge your abdominal muscles and improve their strength and endurance.
5. Set and repetition recommendations: Aim to perform the Stomach Vacuum exercise for a recommended amount of sets. It is generally advisable to start with 2-3 sets and gradually increase as you progress. Take short breaks between sets to recover.
6. Combine with other exercises: For a well-rounded workout, you can combine the Stomach Vacuum exercise