Learning how to get abs can seem daunting at first. You're either confronted by so much conflicting information that you don't know what to believe, or you're taught that it all comes down to genetics and it's physically impossible for you to accomplish your goal. Most men are stressed and frustrated with their abdominal training routine but don't know how to change it.
Too much confusion exists due to misinformation and outdated practices being taught by trainers who should know better. This leads to many false beliefs, including:
* Doing 2000 crunches per day is effective.
* Being small muscles, you need to hit your midsection every single day.
* Using weights with your abs will make them bulky and unattractive.
These things promote poor abdominal routines which, despite the person's determination to build a six pack, lead absolutely nowhere. Instead, you'll often see these individuals plodding through overly long, dull routines which are based around the belief that doing 2000 sit-ups per day will get them the results they want.
These beliefs are not true.
Like other muscle groups, your abs will respond and develop further if you simply learn how to hit them effectively. You would not do 2000 reps on a bench press to develop your chest, so ditch the same approach with crunches. Instead, look to use a well balanced routine that allows you to hit each individual section of your stomach.
Try the following three-step routine:
1. 20 x Crunches
2. 20 x Leg Raises with a Swiss Ball
3. 20 x Straight-Leg Crunch
To change your routine ever further to kick-start new results, try performing this routine as a circuit workout instead of a standard setup. That means going through every exercise in motion, before resting and going again. Four rounds of this will have your midsection crying out for help.
Why does this work?
Well, the first reason it will improve results is the fact that it is well balanced. It will help you to target your upper, lower and oblique abdominal muscles rather than just focusing on the top portion.
The second reason this yields results is, of course, the high intensity which is set. Fat loss will improve drastically and, at times, it will feel like you are performing an abdominal cardio routine.
However, if you harbor ambitions of developing a lean torso you need to pay particular attention to the following word, otherwise you will fall into the biggest trap most guys make in the gym. That word is variety. Even if your existing workout is good, it will not stimulate fresh results forever. The body is a clever machine built only to progress when it is physically incapable of performing it's tasks in it's current state. You must continue adding new exercises and changing your approach to keep it guessing.
Once you are able to handle more than 5 rounds of this, it's time to change the exercises. Look to incorporate weighted moves alongside body weight exercises for maximum results. Learning how to get abs is not the 'rocket science' some proclaim it to be, it merely takes determination and attention to detail.
Too much confusion exists due to misinformation and outdated practices being taught by trainers who should know better. This leads to many false beliefs, including:
* Doing 2000 crunches per day is effective.
* Being small muscles, you need to hit your midsection every single day.
* Using weights with your abs will make them bulky and unattractive.
These things promote poor abdominal routines which, despite the person's determination to build a six pack, lead absolutely nowhere. Instead, you'll often see these individuals plodding through overly long, dull routines which are based around the belief that doing 2000 sit-ups per day will get them the results they want.
These beliefs are not true.
Like other muscle groups, your abs will respond and develop further if you simply learn how to hit them effectively. You would not do 2000 reps on a bench press to develop your chest, so ditch the same approach with crunches. Instead, look to use a well balanced routine that allows you to hit each individual section of your stomach.
Try the following three-step routine:
1. 20 x Crunches
2. 20 x Leg Raises with a Swiss Ball
3. 20 x Straight-Leg Crunch
To change your routine ever further to kick-start new results, try performing this routine as a circuit workout instead of a standard setup. That means going through every exercise in motion, before resting and going again. Four rounds of this will have your midsection crying out for help.
Why does this work?
Well, the first reason it will improve results is the fact that it is well balanced. It will help you to target your upper, lower and oblique abdominal muscles rather than just focusing on the top portion.
The second reason this yields results is, of course, the high intensity which is set. Fat loss will improve drastically and, at times, it will feel like you are performing an abdominal cardio routine.
However, if you harbor ambitions of developing a lean torso you need to pay particular attention to the following word, otherwise you will fall into the biggest trap most guys make in the gym. That word is variety. Even if your existing workout is good, it will not stimulate fresh results forever. The body is a clever machine built only to progress when it is physically incapable of performing it's tasks in it's current state. You must continue adding new exercises and changing your approach to keep it guessing.
Once you are able to handle more than 5 rounds of this, it's time to change the exercises. Look to incorporate weighted moves alongside body weight exercises for maximum results. Learning how to get abs is not the 'rocket science' some proclaim it to be, it merely takes determination and attention to detail.
About the Author:
About the author: You can learn how to get abs with the complete video guide from Russ Howe PTI. Russ is a trusted trainer who answers tough questions such as should you train abs with weight and more on his free personal training blog each week.
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