There are thousands of exercises and you’ve only got one body, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try them all: The cobra exercise works out the abdominals and back.
Step 1. Starting Position: Lie on your stomach on an exercise mat or floor with your hands by your sides, positioned directly under your shoulders and hands facing forward. Extend your legs and point toes away from body.
Step 2. Upward Phase: Gently exhale and press your hips into the mat or floor and pull your chest away from the ground while keeping your hips stable. This will arch your low back and stretch the muscles in your chest and abdominal region. Hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds.
Step 3. Downward Phase: Gently relax and lower your upper body to rest back upon the mat or floor.
Step 4. Repeat.
If you experience any pain in the low back with this movement, stop the exercise. As the length of arms differ, individuals may often lift their hips off the mat or floor as they fully extend their arms. In this case, limit the extension in your arms to keep the hips on the mat.
