The “Lazy” Way to Training Abs
Training abs effectively is a very serious business that requires more than just a few sit ups here and there. You need to incorporate the key fundamentals of strength training, exercise and nutrition to be successful. Focusing only on one of these areas won’t get you results so why make it harder for yourself?
This is why an idea like spot reduction for training abs by simply doing sit up after sit up is just plain crazy. Sure you may be increasing your abdominal strength and endurance but it’s not going to burn the fat in that area. To have any hope of ever seeing your abs and getting a sexy flat stomach you need to reduce your overall body fat. The only way of doing this, without liposuction, is to reduce your calorie intake through a proper abs diet plan and increase your cardiovascular exercise.
Now when it comes to exercise for training abs we can do it the hard way or the efficiently “lazy” way. This means training smarter so we can get maximum results in the shortest time possible. Studies have shown that the easiest way to do this is through interval training. This allows you to burn fat quicker and more effectively through short bursts of high intensity exercise, than you can by performing a moderate intensity workout over the same period. Would you rather run on a treadmill for an hour or spend half that time utilizing interval training to get the same results?
When it comes to strength training abs you should be treating your mid section like any other muscle group. You wouldn’t do 50 – 100 bicep curls now would you? So why waste time doing more sit-ups than you need to. The aim with any weight training exercise is to create muscle fatigue by overloading them. This should happen within 8 – 12 reps, the best range for building muscle strength, endurance and definition. If you are finding you can do more make sure you are using proper form. This means really isolating your core and doing your stomach workout in a slow and controlled way. Still too easy? Simply add more resistance, or try some more advanced abdominal fitness exercises.
Becoming efficiently “lazy” means combining the main factors of proper exercise, resistance training and diet together so you are able to get the results you want quicker and faster than by simply focusing on one component alone. This is the key when it comes to training abs or any other fitness goals you may have. So quit making things hard for yourself and really start getting the results you deserve.
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