21st Century Abs

Everyone wants abs.  The toned, defined midsection is the desire of so many that we are willing to buy the gimmick ab exerciser, take the ‘magic pill’, or try the ‘revolutionary’ fad diet to get those chiseled stomachs.  However, to really get those abs there are a couple of things you should know before setting forth on your quest for the movie star belly.

First, and you’ve heard me say this before, but your nutrition is king.  If you are eating the wrong foods, then forget about it.  You are not going to achieve the toned midsection you want so badly.  So lets get that out of the way first.  Get your food under control and discipline yourself with it.

Second we need to be performing the correct type of exercises.  Now lets assume that you are performing full body exercises that stimulate the maximum amount of fat loss to be achieved during your workout.  On top of doing that incorporating  whole body stabilization exercises that cause you to hold a position with your body with or without outside resistance.  Exercises such as plank variations mixed in with bodyweight cardiovascular movements or resisted bodyweight cardiovascular movements (resisted running, Valslide movements, etc).  Exercises such as crunches or forward flexion movements do very little to give you the sleek torso you are looking for.  These movements have so much diversity that the beginner can train with them as well as the advanced trainee or athlete.

In addition, these movements help tremendously with the relief of back pain, torso weakness that is associated with so many aches, pains, postural challenges, and so much more.  Practicing abdominal stabilization movements are the secret ingredient to amazing abs but also to amazing health, mobility, and longevity in your exercise and active lifestyle.

Your abs must be reactive, whether is in stabilization or resistant to movement.  They have to be strong enough to do their job.  If they are not, you will be challenged with mobility issues, and possibly pain and weakness.  You also are much less likely to see the washboard stomach you so desperately desire.