Get Great Washboard Abs Without Performing Crunching Movements
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on 2/26/2008
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The hard way to get washboard abs is to perform set after set of crunching movements. I see people spend 15-20 minutes per workout trying to get great washboard abs. These people are doing machine crunches, leg raises, crunches on a Swiss Ball, etc. The funny thing is that many of these movements actually increase the muscle mass in the abdominal region.
Great Washboard Abs are a Product of Muscle Density -Not- Muscle Size!
The bodybuilding approach to washboard abs is to work them like other muscles. The most common approach is to work the ab muscles to failure and aim for "the burn". This is a great approach to increase the size of a muscle group, which is a bad idea if your goal is washboard abs. If you have ever seen a ripped bodybuilder with abs that stick out past his chest, then you have seen the results of the bodybuilder approach.
You Need a Different Approach if You Want Washboard Abs.
So how do you increase density of a muscle? A great way to increase density is isometric movements. Isometric movements are the key to amazing washboard abs. So what is an isometric movement? An isometric involves flexing the muscle with no actual movement. This can be done with or without any resistance.
A Couple of Great Isometrics to Get Washboard Abs.
The plank exercise is a great isometric exercise. It increases the density of your washboard abs and helps you maintain a healthy back at the same time. It is hard to describe in words, so do a Google search for "plank exercise" and you will be able to see photos of the exercise. I do planks after cardio as a way to increase muscle density to get washboard abs. This is the only ab exercise I do in the gym. Another great exercise is to flex your abs as hard as you can 5-6 times per day. Take a deep breath and exhale as you tighten your abs up as hard as possible for 10-20 seconds. Tightening up of the abs is what causes boxers to have such great washboard abs. They have to tighten up their abs to absorb punches.
Yes, You Are Going to Have to Hit Cardio to See Those Washboard Abs.
As always, I believe that low body fat is the answer to 90% of muscle tone issues. If you hit the cardio hard and get your body fat down to 10 percent or below, you will be able to see your washboard abs. If you allow your body fat to get too high, you can have the best washboard abs in the world and nobody will see them. Cardio is an extremely important part in getting great washboard abs.
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six pack abs, washboard abs, toned abs, crunches, planks
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