So you have all seen the infomercial ab workout equipment, fat burning pills, weight loss supplements, courses, books and magazines promoting your rock hard, six-pack abs without having to significantly change your lifestyle. I guess all you need is a solid strategy around your workout for abs, right?

Wrong.

I have a simple question for you. If you want to build sculpted abs, where should you go first? The local mega gym or … your kitchen?

If you answered the latter, you are way ahead of most people that are taken in by the lies of the pseudo-fitness hucksters who want to steal your hard-earned money. You can buy every wacky piece of equipment and fat burning pill out there, do thousands of crunches and sit-ups, read all the how-to books and magazines you can find … but if you do not start in the kitchen .. .you will only be wasting valuable time and money.

The secret to workouts for abs is to eliminate the processed foods and start eating healthy, natural meals so you will melt away the fat that is concealing your abs from view. Foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber will help your body to function at its peak and keep your energy levels high.

This is not to say that diet alone will get you the results you seek. After what the marketers for the latest miracle diet pill will tell you … you do have to train your ab muscles if you want them to develop. The good news is, you do not have to do a million crunches and sit-ups and spend hours running now on a treadmill to sculpt a tight, flat stomach.

In fact, here is a little secret most fitness trainers will not tell you. Sit-ups are one of the least effective exercises you can do if you want to get ripped, washboard abs. Yes, I said it; so much for the Ab-Blaster 2500 and the endless series of crunches. It is best to do short, intestinal workouts 2-3 times a week. Keep your reps down to about 15 – 25 per exercise and do about 2- 4 sets. Focus on correct form and contracting your muscles throughout the movement; quality counts here much more than quantity.

Try some of these workouts for abs for variety in your routine:

Reverse Crunch – lay face up on the floor; cross your feet and bring your knees up towards your pillow till they are at a 90-degree angle to the floor; lift your hips off the floor by tightening your abs and point your legs upward; lower and repeat.

Toe and Elbow Plank – lay facing the floor with your weight on your forearms; raise off the floor as if doing a push up, but keep the weight on your elbows and your toes; hold this position for 2-3 seconds and then lower and repeat; be sure to keep your back straight and your abs rigid – like a “plank.”

Vertical Leg Crunch – lay face up on the floor; lift your legs up with your feet parallel to the ceiling; contract your abs and lift your shoulders off the floor; bring your chest towards your knees and hold for 2 seconds; lower and repeat.

Remember, start in the kitchen and then train with regularity and intensity. And do not worry about whether or not you have the “right genetics” to get the sculpted abs of your dreams. The truth is if you have a targeted plan for nutrition and fitness and you stick to the plan … you will find yourself getting the body that you want. Believe it … and you will achieve it.

Featured Image: Fitness World

Source by David Demarco