Abs to Envy
Everyone wants great looking abs. Not only are they attractive, they show confidence, and good health.
So how do you get them?
The first and most important thing to remember is quality vs. quantity. Doing a 1000 crunches will not get you the abs of your dreams. If you can whip off 50 crunches, you definitely need to increase the difficulty level.
The second thing to remember is your diet. If you don’t have a reasonable body fat percentage then it doesn’t matter how much you work your abs, you are never going to see them.
You can safely work your abs 4-5 days a week. I prefer working them hard enough so that you are fatiguing at no more then 20 reps.
Challenge and work them hard with some of my favourites:
I love plank and side plank. They give you a great challenge. Start with 30 sec and work your way up to a minute or minute and a half. You can increase the difficulty of this exercise by lifting one leg off the floor. Be sure to pull your belly button in at all times and do not hold your breath.
Crunches on the SB.
This is still one of my favourite exercises. If you have never done these before start with no weight. Start by sitting on the ball. Roll out while leaning back until your low back is comfortably in the SB. Then keeping your hands at your ears, lift your shoulders up into an almost seated position.
You can make this harder by pulling on some tubing. Attach the tubing to a door using a door stopper or tie it around a bed post or something like that. Get into the same position as you would do a crunch except your hands are holding the tube above your head instead of at your ears. Don’t pull the tube by moving your arms, you move the tube by lifting your shoulders up.
Of course squeeze your abs for each rep and try to get as close to 20 reps. Once you are there, it’s time to make it harder.
Lower Leg Swing with Stability or Medicine Ball
This is a favourite of many of my clients. They find that they can really feel those lower abs. Although you can’t actually isolate lower abdominals from upper abdominals you can really feel the lower part of your abs working. The key with this exercise is to make sure that your back is pressed into the floor. If you find it is lifting off, stop and don’t drop your legs any farther to the ground.
Committed to your fitness success,
Kelly Parker
www.bestfitbodybootcamp.com
