ABS WORKOUTS THAT HEAL YOUR BACK

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ABS WORKOUTS THAT HEAL YOUR BACKIsolating specific muscles also carves 6-pack

If your back has ever ached—from slouching in a swivel chair or lugging stuff around—you've heard that the key to relief is in your abs.

It's true that recent research found that isolating deep abdominal muscles—those close to your spine—recruits the transverse abdominis muscle.

That's the one that wraps around your lower trunk and can help stabilize the spine. Trainers often talk of pulling the navel toward the spine—that's the transverse abdominis.

Which exercises work the core-stability muscles? Try some planks, medicine-ball rotation passes, and others in this workout to hit the targets. Or sweat through these variations on the side bridge for new challenges that go even deeper.

But other research has found that these isolating exercises may not help with lower-back pain, and that contracting the entire abdominal area is best at stabilizing the spine.

Your takeaway? Do some of each. Don't do the ones that hurt. And train in the activity that you enjoy—training that replicates the sports you enjoy is the best bet. And remember a variety of moves is best.

However you work out, remember abs are built in the kitchen. The 12 Abs Diet powerfoods each have unique, washboard-creating superpowers, and we've got recipes to help you implement them at every meal.

If you're hurting somewhere besides your back, check out our Sports Injury Center, where you can diagnose a nagging pain, treat a recent flare-up, and find exercises to prevent future on-field issues.

And find more useful stuff—like how to heal faster by getting happy and some stats about your hot coworker's unmentionable thoughts—at MH Today.

Regards, Vergelpowerusa dot orgDelicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.