It is all about the abs!

Whether you desire the washboard abdominal look, want to re-shape your mid-section, or want to become stronger and more powerful athlete it all reverts back to core training, or the lack of it. Be honest, how many of you discipline yourself to perform a certain number of sit-ups every evening in hope to obtain your desired results? Well the chances are that you are not reaching your goals, right? There is hope.

 

It is common knowledge that a stronger, more functional core, will improve your posture and therefore reduce the risk of low back pain developing, improve your overall strength and power ultimately boosting athletic performance, and decrease your percentage of body fat and therefore improving health. So with all these well documented benefits why does the large majority of today’s population still have under performing core muscle groups, and carry excess amounts of body fat in their mid-sections?

 

Firstly you will not lose those extra fat pounds around your waist-line by performing abdominal crunches. To lost fat mass, you need to burn calories the best way to burn calories is cardiovascular exercise e.g. jog, cycle, walk etc… There is no such thing a “spot” burning fat, which means that we can not specifically target where we burn our fat. Each one of us has a genetic predisposition to where we carry our extra fat, and the only way to get rid of it is to burn calories through sustained activity that elevates your heart rate.

 

Wakeup call - there is not a magic formula for burning fat from your stomach. A well designed, fun-based, challenging, and goal oriented exercise program, and with most importantly a willing and disciplined participant, is the only way to achieve your desired results.

 

For those of you that have been able to burn off the fat pounds, and are now looking to shape and tone your core section and/or boost athletic performance, you also need to have a well designed program. Your core section is comprised of four major muscle groups, upper and lower abs, side (oblique) abs, and your lower back. A solid strength foundation can be obtained by performing floor based exercises e.g. regular and side crunches, chest raises (low/mid back), leg raises (lower abs). However, you need a program that will transfer your core training into more functional activities. For example the majority of movements, especially sporting movements, are performed in a standing position. Consciously contracting your core region during simple movements is a good start to functional core training.

Craig Dalrymple

Training Tip Archives...