Rock Hard Abs – Tips For The Gym

Harden your stomach and take a look at it.  Chances are, at this point, you can’t see your abs.  If you take a second to feel with your fingers, though, you likely have a six pack or something like it under those layers of fat.  Your goal at this point should be to not only develop those abdominal muscles further, but, through proper eating and exercise, shed that layer of fat that’s hiding your sculpted stomach.

The key to an abs workout is consistency.  Don’t stretch yourself to the limit and expect to keep up a grueling routine.  Stick with what you know you’re able to do, and keep doing it.  Be patient, and the abs will follow.

First, start with an exercise ball.  Abs work their hardest when they’re being used to stabilize your body, so an element of instability is key.  Incorporate an exercise ball into your crunches routine, and make sure you’re doing both side crunches and front crunches.  Try lying on your back with the ball between your legs as you do your reps.

Add weights to increase the size of your abs.  Hanging leg raises with weight strapped to your ankles is a great ab burner, as well as sit-ups on a decline, while hugging weight to your chest.  Gradually increase the weight as these exercises get easier, but remember, keep things consistent.  It’s better to engage in a workout routine that you know you’ll be able to do at least three times a week, week after week, than an overambitious regime that will peter out after two weeks.  If you’re worried about high blood pressure, or are taking any hypertension medications – such as Avapro or Altace, then you should talk to your doctor before starting this, or any workout routine.

Finally, make sure you keep working out, even outside of the gym.  Isometric contractions are a great workout or the office or your commute, and nobody will even know you’re doing them.  Try flexing your abs while sitting in an office chair, hold it for ten seconds, and relax for five.  Repeat ten times for the full set, and try to do it three times a day, both standing and sitting.  This is a great way to make a boring meeting feel more productive!

If you keep this up, you should feel a difference in just a few weeks, and start seeing some abdominal ripples in a few months, but only if you make sure your kitchen routine matches your gym routine.