If You Want Six Pack Abs Stop Doing Crunches - A Workout Plan To Get A Sexy Midsection
You know you want sexy abs and so you have done everything you thought worked to get a six pack- crunches, sit ups, ran an hour on the treadmill and yet, none of this brought out definition in the midsection.
The quest for the elusive 6 pack is one we are probably all familiar with.
It seems that so many infomercials promise it, trainers tell us it's very easy and magazines make it seem like all it takes is one week and anyone can get them.
What does it really take to get ripped abs? By now you have probably done the endless number of sit-ups, followed by standing soon after in front of a mirror hoping that a light hint of sexy abs start show but all you see is much of the same.
Stop Doing Crunches If You Want A Sexy Midsection There is a misconception that crunches are the backbone of any program to get sexy abs but the truth is that all they will give you is an injured backbone.
Believe it or not crunches actually cause more harm than good.
Because crunches are a forward flexing movement they end up creating a lot of unnecessary strain in the lower back.
In order to get the best results you have to strengthen the core area.
In order to strengthen the core region of the body you need to perform a variety of exercises that help not only the abdominals, but also the obliques and lower back.
If you only do exercises like crunches and other forward movement exercises you will develop a weak lower back, thus making you more prone to injury.
Another problem with using sit-ups and doing crunches for a strong midsection is that you cannot spot reduce the midsection by performing these exercises.
In order to bring out your abs you first need to burn the fat to bring out definition in your midsection.
Burn The Fat And Your Midsection Will Improve The first thing you need to do to get a six-pack is to burn fat and bring your body fat percentage to a lower level.
There is no way to avoid it but in order for this to happen you need to do cardio, eat healthy and do strength-training exercises.
Do The Right Type Of Cardio The last thing you want to hear is that you need to get on a treadmill and jog for an hour.
This is not only boring but a waste of time.
Instead of doing long cardio simply perform intervals using your preferred cardio machine (treadmill, stair step, stationary bicycle, elliptical, etc.
) or outdoors.
By doing intervals that mix bursts of activity with short rest periods your body burns fat at a faster rate.
Eat Healthy And Eat Less The best way to reduce your body fat is by creating a calorie deficit.
By spending more calories through working out than you consume your body will burn fat and stay lean.
However, it is important to consume high quality calories.
Rather than have a diet that is high in fat and sugar, or junk foods, eat as healthy as possible and your body fat percentage will follow.
Do Strength Training To Get Lean Although many of us are afraid to do strength training before we burn the fat, the opposite is true.
In order to see maximum fat loss it is best to do strength training.
When we refer to strength training this is not exclusively referring to weight training, bodyweight workouts are an excellent alternative to build muscle and get a lean body as well.
If you follow the above mentioned tips: Interval type cardio, eating healthy, and doing strength training you will build a solid foundation in your quest for six pack abs.
The last part of the process is doing abs exercises that will create density in the muscle of the midsection.
Here is an excellent workout routine you can perform.
Exercises like renegade rows and planks will strengthen the obliques and lower back.
As you can see, in order to get a six-pack crunches are not the best approach.
Instead follow a plan consisting of better exercises along with a good diet, proper cardio and strength training.
The quest for the elusive 6 pack is one we are probably all familiar with.
It seems that so many infomercials promise it, trainers tell us it's very easy and magazines make it seem like all it takes is one week and anyone can get them.
What does it really take to get ripped abs? By now you have probably done the endless number of sit-ups, followed by standing soon after in front of a mirror hoping that a light hint of sexy abs start show but all you see is much of the same.
Stop Doing Crunches If You Want A Sexy Midsection There is a misconception that crunches are the backbone of any program to get sexy abs but the truth is that all they will give you is an injured backbone.
Believe it or not crunches actually cause more harm than good.
Because crunches are a forward flexing movement they end up creating a lot of unnecessary strain in the lower back.
In order to get the best results you have to strengthen the core area.
In order to strengthen the core region of the body you need to perform a variety of exercises that help not only the abdominals, but also the obliques and lower back.
If you only do exercises like crunches and other forward movement exercises you will develop a weak lower back, thus making you more prone to injury.
Another problem with using sit-ups and doing crunches for a strong midsection is that you cannot spot reduce the midsection by performing these exercises.
In order to bring out your abs you first need to burn the fat to bring out definition in your midsection.
Burn The Fat And Your Midsection Will Improve The first thing you need to do to get a six-pack is to burn fat and bring your body fat percentage to a lower level.
There is no way to avoid it but in order for this to happen you need to do cardio, eat healthy and do strength-training exercises.
Do The Right Type Of Cardio The last thing you want to hear is that you need to get on a treadmill and jog for an hour.
This is not only boring but a waste of time.
Instead of doing long cardio simply perform intervals using your preferred cardio machine (treadmill, stair step, stationary bicycle, elliptical, etc.
) or outdoors.
By doing intervals that mix bursts of activity with short rest periods your body burns fat at a faster rate.
Eat Healthy And Eat Less The best way to reduce your body fat is by creating a calorie deficit.
By spending more calories through working out than you consume your body will burn fat and stay lean.
However, it is important to consume high quality calories.
Rather than have a diet that is high in fat and sugar, or junk foods, eat as healthy as possible and your body fat percentage will follow.
Do Strength Training To Get Lean Although many of us are afraid to do strength training before we burn the fat, the opposite is true.
In order to see maximum fat loss it is best to do strength training.
When we refer to strength training this is not exclusively referring to weight training, bodyweight workouts are an excellent alternative to build muscle and get a lean body as well.
If you follow the above mentioned tips: Interval type cardio, eating healthy, and doing strength training you will build a solid foundation in your quest for six pack abs.
The last part of the process is doing abs exercises that will create density in the muscle of the midsection.
Here is an excellent workout routine you can perform.
- Hanging Leg Raises: perform 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 10 repetitions.
For a beginner or anyone lacking the equipment to do a hanging leg raise you can substitute this exercise with lying leg raises. - Renegade Rows: Perform renegade rows for 5 sets of repetitions.
This exercise will help you develop stronger obliques. - Planks: do 5 sets with each set consisting of holding the plank position for one minute each time.
Exercises like renegade rows and planks will strengthen the obliques and lower back.
As you can see, in order to get a six-pack crunches are not the best approach.
Instead follow a plan consisting of better exercises along with a good diet, proper cardio and strength training.
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