Understanding the anatomy of your abdominal muscles will give you a better understanding of how your exercises improve your development and help create those six packs you’ve been looking for.
The rectus abdominis is the large muscle that runs down the center of the stomach, is the muscle that pops and is the muscle that is the basis for your six pack. However, by concentrating on just one muscle you’ll have an off-balanced muscle development which will not look well! The rectus abdominis controls how the pelvis tilts and the curvature of the lower spine. By strengthening both the rectus abdominis and the back muscles you’ll reduce your risk of lower back pain.
Next are the obliques. You have both internal and external oblique muscles. The internal obliques help to rotate the spine, aids in breathing and increases the pressure in the stomach when having a bowel movement. These muscles stretch from the front of the abdomen to the back.
The external obliques will run down and in from the lower ribs to the pelvis, just in the front of the abdomen. They also help to rotate your core.
The latissimus dorsi are the muscles at the widest part of the back. It is also the most powerful muscle in the back and extends from the upper arm to the hip bone. It raises and lowers the ribs and keeps your back stable.
The gluteal muscles are on what is commonly known as the buttocks. These muscles work the thigh, stabilize the hips and allows the thighs to rotate.
There are a host of other smaller and more intricate connections between muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments that connect the muscle to bone and to each other. These are the largest muscle groups that you must pay attention to as you work to strengthen your core. As you exercise these, the remainder of the smaller groups are also included, especially in multi-movement moves, such as the clean and press or deadlifts.
All of these muscles are connected to each other and work in concert to provide you with a stable and strong core.
Resources:
InnerBody: Muscles of the abdomen, lower back and pelvis
http://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/muscular/lower-torso
Healthline: Muscles
http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/abdomen-muscles
Bartleby: The muscles and fascia of the abdomen
http://www.bartleby.com/107/118.html
Unviersity of Arkansas: Muscles of the Abdominal Region
http://anatomy.uams.edu/anatomyhtml/muscles_abdomen.html
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