Busting Washboard Abs Myths
good ab workout may trim your middle and get rid of body fat, but there are some myths you should ignore if a six pack is your goal.
The myth that you cannot exercise deep abdominal muscles unless you use an apparatus is false. Please do not throw away any money on such useless equipment, they are absolutely pointless.
The myth that you cannot get a six pack unless you do hundreds of crunches is also untrue. All of the abdominal muscles are not trained by crunches, and those that are receive only light stimulation.
The third myth is that you can starve yourself to lose body fat so people can see your abdominal muscles. Starvation diets in fact cause your body to feed on the very muscle you are trying to build.
The final untrue myth says a pill can help you burn fat and get toned abdominals. Don’t waste your money on any pill that swears it can burn fat or grow muscle. Only healthy practices - eating, sleeping, training - will get you the body you want.
We’ve talked about what to avoid, now we can talk about what you can do to get the abs you want.
There are several muscle building and/or fat loss programs that will help you lose your belly fat and build your abdominals. See these reviews for Mike Geary’s program and Turbulence Training. There are many other programs out there - if you think you need some help beyond this article, find a program that is right for you. The most important thing in any program is that it goes well with your lifestyle so you will do it. For right now, let’s concentrate on the main components of a six pack ab routine.
Remember only a good workout program will grow your abs so they can be seen once you decrease your weight. All muscles, even abdominal muscles, will increase if you tax the muscle fibers then give them an optimal rest time. After the rest period you work them again. The tax, rest, tax practice has to be done in the proper sequence and frequency to get the best results
.
Sequence
When you plan a routine, you should plan to work the muscles that are most important to you first. Your abdominal exercises should be first in your exercise plan if you want to build a six pack.
Frequency
Rest time depends on workout intensity - the higher the intensity the more rest is needed. A few high intensity workouts each week will make your abdominal muscles bigger. Plan to do two to four intense workouts each week, the rest time in between those workouts will give your muscles time to recouperate and grow. Be sure to work upper abdominals, lower abdominals and obliques or you will end up with only a two pack.
For more information on which body movements work each group of muscle, see this article.