Rectus Abdominis
Exercises that target the rectus abdominis, grouped by whether they stretch or strengthen it.
The rectus abdominis is the long "six-pack" muscle running down the front of the abdomen. It flexes the trunk (curling the ribs toward the pelvis) and helps tilt the pelvis backward into neutral.
It is part of the anterior force that opposes the low-back extensors. When it is under-active relative to those extensors, the pelvis tends to tip forward and the lumbar curve deepens.
It responds to controlled curl-ups and posterior-pelvic-tilt work done with good technique, as part of balanced core training. See the core exercises.
