Want Abs
Training the abdominal muscles has recently
been the subject of more misinformation and mythology than
any other part of the human anatomy. Gizmos and gadgets
allege that they'll give you those coveted "six-pack"
abs. But here's how you can rationally train your abs to
their absolute maximum limit of development using everyday
gym equipment. There is nothing unique about abdominal muscles
as far as their training and response to training is concerned.
The principles that apply to biceps and triceps apply equally
to abs. So the three critical elements of your ab workouts
are:
1- High-intensity of muscular overload
2- Progressive intensity from workout to workout
3- Proper spacing of workouts to avoid overtraining
or undertraining
Most people do sit-ups or crunches as an ab exercise. While
these are basically good exercises that can satisfy point
1 above, how many people use them in a way that satisfies
point 2? Muscles will only develop in response to overload
that is above normal. So if you do 20 crunches every day
for a year, why would your ab muscles develop beyond that
capacity? They won't.
To force new development, you need to increase the intensity.
You could add a few crunches every day, but that really
just increases duration; there is a better way to get fast
results.
Abs exercises proven to work
1- Weighted crunches
2- Weighted incline sit-ups
3- Weighted sit-ups
The best way to do weighted crunches is to lie on the floor
with your head close to the low pulley weight stack. Using
the rope handle attachment, grasp the ends and pull the
cable until it is tight and your hands are resting at the
side of your head near your ears. Now contract your ab muscles
in a crunch that lifts your shoulders off the floor and
draws the weight stack up an inch or two. Choose a weight
that is so heavy, you can only do 8 to 12 reps. If you don't
have access to a low pulley, there is a good alternative.
You can use the high pulley that is normally used for lat
pulldowns. Kneel on the floor or sit in the seat directly
under the rope handles that you attach to the high pulley.
Lock your legs under the hold down. Pull the handles into
position next to your ears, then contract your ab muscles
into a crunch that raises the weight stack an inch or two.
Again, choose a weight that is so heavy, you can only do
8 to 12 reps.
As a further alternative, you can lie on the floor and do
a sit-up or crunch while holding a barbell plate against
your chest. The limitation of this exercise is that, as
you progress in strength, it will not be possible to hold
enough plates on your chest safely. But that's a good problem
to have.
On each successive workout, shoot for a 5-15% increase
in the weight you use. If you can't get a 5% increase, it's
time to add more days off between your workouts.