b. Do certain moves truly isolate your lower abs, or do many core moves engage them? Reverse crunches and leg lifts isolate your low abs. Many other core exercises involve your low abs. Such as tuck jumps, jump roping, planks, shoulder taps and V-ups. Your low abs often act as are your stabilizers.
c. Do people often have weak lower abs? (I hear a lot about pelvic tilt issues.) If so, whyand why is it important for those muscles to function properly? Yes some people have weak lower abs and yes an anterior pelvic tilt can be a big culprit. This happens often to new moms who recently gave birth. Since the belly is growing forward, theyll compensate for the weight by leaning back. Strength training during pregnancy is really important to prevent an extreme anterior pelvic tilt. Another thing to add is that by strengthening your glutes and hamstring and stretching out your quads can help with the anterior pelvic tilt which leads to the development of your low abs. Once we were able to reinforce how important our posture is, we can see a difference in the way our low abs look and feel.
FORM CUES: Every time youre laying down make sure your spine is pressing down. If you notice that your back is arching, then dont lower your legs down too low. Always focus on control. No need to rush any of the movements. Whenever youre in a plank your entire core is stabilizing. But once you start to add movements like plank ups, plank with tap or shoulder taps my suggestion is to open your legs a little bit wider so you can really focus on stabilizing from your low abs. You never want your hips to rock side to side while in a plank.
My suggestion is to choose 5-6 exercises. One of those exercises cardio like the tuck jumps or jump rope.
3-4 rounds of 45 seconds of work and 15 seconds to recover
Or 3-4 sets of 12-15 reps
2. Deadbug
How to: Start in a plank position with shoulders over wrists. Hinge at hips to lift butt into air, shifting weight back into feet while reaching right hand to left ankle. Return to plank and repeat on the opposite side. That's one rep. Complete 15.
11. Tuck jumps
12. Jump rope
13. Mountain climbers