Skip Nav

How Do I Work My Transversus Abdominis?

These Are the Ab Muscles Serena Williams Said She Always Focuses on and Why It's Important

How Do I Work My Transversus Abdominis?
Image Source: Getty / Francois Nel

Serena Williams is one of my favourite athletes, so naturally I tune into any and everything she shares on social media. She recently put her older sister Venus Williams through a workout, and of course, it's now on my list of workouts to try. As I was watching the workout, Serena said something that caught my attention: "For me as a mom, I always try and contract my transverse abdominis," while coaching Venus through a dynamic body fold.

I'm sure most people didn't think anything of that sentence, but as a trainer, it was like music to my ears! Why? Because the transverse abdominis (TVA) is a deep core muscle group that plays an integral role in stabilizing the lumbar spine (commonly referred to as the lower back) and pelvis before any upper- or lower-body movements happen. It's an extremely important muscle but often gets overlooked in workouts and training programs. Whether you're an athlete or someone who just likes to exercise because it makes you feel good, it's important that you have core stability to prevent injury and to perform at an optimal level.

If you've never heard of the TVA until now, you may be wondering how you can target and strengthen this muscle group. To get you started, I rounded up a few of my favourite core-stability exercises that will have you on your way to a stronger TVA. This isn't a workout but feel free to add two to three exercises to your daily workouts. Check them out ahead.

Latest Health & Fitness