16 Mar Four Rules for Building Great Abs

Are you trying to achieve killer abs like the ones you see on the commercials for exercise commercials?  While getting great abs is not really as simple as these commercials often make it seem, it is possible to get great looking abs if you follow a few simple rules of thumb.

Ab Rule #1:  Watch What You Eat

Exercising simply isn’t enough to help burn the fat and achieve great looking abs.  You also have to keep a closer eye on the foods you eat.  Consuming too many foods that are high in calories and/or fat will keep the fat hanging around your midsection.  If you want the muscles you build to show, you need to remove the fat that is hiding them.  So, count those calories and make sure you are eating plenty of fruits, veggies and foods high in protein.  Similarly, try to stay away from foods that are processed and other “junk” food that will only add more fat to your waist.

Ab Rule #2:  Give Them Rest

The number one rule when it comes to building muscle is to give those muscles time to rest in between workouts.  Yet, many people overlook this rule when it comes to their abs.  In fact, they have a tendency to overwork their abdominal muscles.  If you do hundreds of crunches every day, you are going to overwork your abs and you won’t be giving them the time they need to repair themselves and to grow.

Ab Rule #3:  Remember the Rest of Your Body

Focusing solely on crunches in an attempt to build up your abs will slow down your progress.  Rather than working on only your abs, focus on working other major muscle groups as well.  Believe it or not, working on other muscles also helps give your abs a workout.  In addition, be sure to workout all of your abdominal muscles, including your obliques and your lower abs.

Ab Rule #4:  Give Your Core a Workout

In addition to looking great, another benefit to building up your abs is the fact that having a strong torso improves your posture, reduces your risk of injury and decreases your back pain.  Therefore, when developing a workout plan, you should also focus on building the core muscles that you don’t necessarily “see” in addition to the ones that you do.