We all might want a magic bullet, or a dietary pill that will melt the fat and show off some rock solid abs.
The truth ! There’s none… only hard work through full body cardiovascular and strength training circuits + dietary changes will give you the results that you want. Click here on summary of studies for proof on maximizing your fat loss potential with weight training and diet and endurance and weight training.
Why is that you may ask?
Contrary to what most advertiser gadgets tell you, there’s no such thing as spot reduction. Fat is lost throughout the body in a pattern dependent upon genetics, sex (hormones), and age. Overall body fat must be reduced to lose fat in any particular area. Although fat is lost or gained throughout the body, it seems to follow a gender specific pattern:
Men- tend to store fat on the waist and abdomen, giving obese men an apple-like shape to their bodies. Fat that surrounds the abdominal organs (visceral fat) is far more dangerous in terms of increasing the risk of obesity related disease than fat distributed on the lower body.
Women- tend to store fat on the lower body on their hips, thighs and buttocks, giving obese women a pear-like shape to their bodies. Women also tend to store fat closer to the surface of their skin (subcutaneous fat) than men do, increasing their tendency to form cellulite.
These areas tend to be the first areas to get fat and the last areas to get lean. Meaning that you can’t give up on your exercise after a month of training and say “this is not working for me.” The body needs a continuous cognitive and motor stimulus to alter its habits of storing fat. YES, THAT MEANS ……that YOU HAVE to get MOVING and know WHY you are doing it and what are the steps you need to take in order to get there. Contact us for a complimentary 30 min “Steps to reach your health and fitness POTENTIAL ” coaching session.
HERE are my top 3 favourite AB exercises:
2. Side planks
3. Side Leg Raise + Full Vertical Crunch
Click on the individual links for written instructions and video demos on how to perform the exercise.
Remember that any of these can be modified to suit your personal beginner, intermediate, and/or advanced fitness level.
Make sure to consult with a qualified medical and/or fitness professional before starting out a new exercise regime.