1. There Are No Upper and Lower Abs
The upper and lower abs myth has grown from a layman’s understanding of human anatomy to a definite truth. This has too been fueled by the media for years and years in order to sell more magazines and products. All in all, a great approach to make money. But now to the bottom line. Your abdominals are not two separate muscles (upper and lower), but one solid chunk, just like your biceps. Can you train only your upper or lower bicep? Certainly not. And the same is true for your abs.
2. Ab Exercises Cannot Spot Reduce Gut Fat
If you want to build your biceps, you work them, it makes sense, and thus by working our abs we can make them stronger and larger. BUT. We it will do nothing about the layer of fat covering them. And that is great, because if it wasn’t, imagine how runners would look? Shredded legs, but fat everywhere else.
3. Incorrect Ab Work Can Make You Look Fat
What happens when you strengthen your muscles (if combined with adequate eating)? They grow. And what happens if your abdominals grow but keep the fat on top of it? Your gut looks even larger. And what about your side-abs if you are going after that narrow waist look? It grows wider and thicker. Now don’t get me wrong, building abdominal bulk won’t happen over night, but if bulk is what you want to avoid, spend more time doing static and unweighted exercises for your core and abs. A great example is the plank compared to the crunch with a medicine ball.
4. Ab Machines Are Great Scams
Oh man, I wish I came up with this. Actually it isn’t a scam as such, they have just left certain information out. And they have also paid both actors, celebrities and experts to endorse their claims. Simply put, the machines are all probably quite effective at strengthening your abs, but ineffective at burning fat. Luckily, all machines come with a low-calorie meal plan as part of the system and THAT is what will make you lose weight. Not the ab machine.
5. The Only Way To Get Your Abs Visible
Shred fat. That’s it. And 50-75% is diet related.
Anders N W Lindgreen is a Swedish/Australian Fitness Specialist. Visit his website for free articles and e-books featuring the unbiased truth on Personal Fitness Training and Corporate Health and Fitness.