These are the four most common myths associated w/ toning that tummy

It is a regular conversation that I have at the end of a clients workout... "We didn't work ABS". I always reply with yes you did the entire workout was core based. It takes several in depth conversations before they realize you cannot spot reduce fat!
Myth #1: Training the abs will give you a flat stomach.
You simply cannot spot reduce fat. When you exercise, fat is removed from all areas of the body. The calories expended during ab exercises is very low. If you are looking for a high calorie burner, there are better exercises (We will get to those later :) ). Working the abs will develop the underlying muscle, but if there is a layer of fat obscuring your "six pack" neither you nor anyone else will see it.

Myth #2: The lower and upper abs are separate from one another.
The abs are one long sheet of muscle. They aren't separate. Any ab exercise you do is going to involve both the lower and upper abdominal areas. You can shift the emphasis more toward the lower or upper regions by performing specific exercises. To target the upper abdominal area, you use exercises that bring the chest toward the pelvis (crunch type exercises). To target the lower abdominal region, use exercises that bring the pelvis toward the chest (reverse curls). Now a days we have so many fun toys we can incorporate into our abdominal training; Bosu, medicine balls, bands, and stabililty balls to name a few. Also traditional abdominal workouts that only take place in a supine position are now more complex. Standing doing core stability training with load is a huge favorite of mine. We can twist, flex, bend, and extend all incorporating the abdominals. Especially those stubborn obliques and your transverse.

Myth #3: You should perform ab exercises every day for best results.
There is no substance to this. You wouldn't think of training the biceps or the quadriceps every day- and the abs have almost the same percentage of "fast twitch" muscles as the biceps and quads. If you train your muscles every day, you are going to be shortchanging yourself of results. The muscles develop during rest. When you train them every day, you're actually breaking down muscles. It's best to allow 48hrs for the muscle to recuperate and provide optimal results. Training the core every day is one thing, but to isolate one particular abdominal area is a waste of time.

Myth #4: During the crunch, you should place your hands behind your head for support.
You should not place your hands behind your head. When you put your hands behind your head and clasp, there is a reflexive tendancy to pull on the neck muscles, especially when the repititions start getting difficult and you are fatiguing and want to get out the last few reps. One of the best ways is to place your hands behind your chest or put your fists at your ears.

You don't get the proper results if you don't have the proper training protocol. It diminishes the results. You can also overtrain and not get as good results. If you do the proper routine, the abs develop very quickly.

To achieve a super sexy stomach you first have to shed the layer of fat covering the muscles. The best one-two punch: good nutrition and regular physical activity. Without proper nutrition you aren't going to get the results you're working for.

For an extra boost of fat burning add aerobic activity. The combination of a healthy diet and cardio exercise will speed up your progress and help burn extra fat.

To our Health:
carey Guthmiller