Building Great Ab Muscles

Building Great Ab Muscles

Working Your Abs

Well, I was at the gym today as I pondered what it was I was going to present in my post today. If you are joining me for the first time, my name is Andrew, and I am on a mission to fight the obesity epidemic that appears to have America in a choke hold. Every other day I work my abs significantly. I don't just do a couple sets of crunches, I go full out with 5-6 different exercises that work my entire core. Achieving great abs is not an easy thing to do, and today I am going to explain the system of muscles that make up the core, and how to obtain killer abs.


Let me start off by pointing out that there is no easy way to achieve abs of steel. As you watch tv, you may notice the commercials advertising ab machines and diets that are guaranteed to build excellent abs. Do not waste your time or money on these items, they simply do not work as well as the traditional methods. If you refrain from purchasing these advertised items, you wont break your wallet, and you will see better results by working for your beach body abs.


" The abdominals are made up of different muscles on the front, side, and middle of the abdominal area. When we think of the abs, most of us are focused on the lat muscle that travels down the front of the belly, from just below the chest to the pelvic area. This muscle, called the "rectus abdominis," is often called the "six-pack," because there are three tendinous creases there that separate the muscle, giving it the washboard look. The rectus abdominis is responsible for spine flexion, which involves bringing the shoulders toward the hips, as in a crunch, and is involved in most abdominal exercises.


There are other muscles beside the six-pack, though. The internal and external obliques are located on either side of the body, attaching on to the ribs, and are responsible for spine flexion and rotation. Whenever you turn or rotate the torso, the obliques are involved. The external obliques run diagonally (in the same direction as if you were putting your hand in a pocket), and the transverse abdominis is actually and internal muscle forming the innermost layer of the abdominal wall. The muscle wraps around the spine and is involved in abdomen compression, rather than movements of the torso."

Thanks to the information obtained from:
American Council on Exercise. (2003). ACE Personal Trainer Manual, 3rd Edition. San Diego, CA: American Council on Exercise.


Why should you work your abs?


It's very important to build your core and work your abs, as doing this will help protect your body from injury. That's right, having a more powerful core protects your spine and allows for a better posture. You also use your abs while doing everyday activities such as swooping and turning.


How often should one train their abs?


It is commonly recommended to work your abs 3-4 times a week. I personally follow this example and work mine every other day. Let me explain how abs really work. you cannot simple aim toward working your abs and obtain a great six-pack. You must reduce over-all body fat percentage in order to allow the abs to show through. No matter how hard you work your abs, if your diet is not proper, and you cease to perform cardio exercises, you simply will not achieve the abs you seem to be working hard for. Building great abs is about 75%-90% diet and fat burning exercising.


If you are interested in the ab workouts I use personally or would like any recommendations, just leave a comment and I will reply back with any requested information. I will continue to attack obesity one post at a time. Thanks for reading and stop back soon.