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The Best-Ever Ab Exercise
Dear Tony,
How can I get a “six-pack” of abs? I’m lean and sort of have a “four-pack” going for me, but I really want the abs of a hardcore fitness woman. Can I do this without dieting myself into anorexia? What is the best ab exercise to get what I want?
Soft in the Middle, Denver |
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Dear Softie:
The best ab exercise is always the one you’re doing. Sure, some moves are more effective than others, but no one built a six-pack without putting in some serious time and repetitions with a variety of abdominal exercises.
Years ago full sit-ups and leg raises were the ticket. Today we have isolated abdominal movements to maximize effectiveness. The basic sit-up reigns supreme; you just have more ways to perform it now. Ab machines and devices help stabilize the neck and an exercise ball recruits additional muscle fibers, but we’re still talking about variations of the basic sit-up or crunch that can be performed on a mat.
The abs are composed of two sections of muscle—sit-ups and crunches work the upper portions, and any movement that brings your knees toward your shoulders works the lower portion. This includes leg lifts, knee-ins, reverse sit-ups and pelvic tilts.
Everyone has abs; it’s just that most people have a layer of fat covering them. If extra weight really is not an issue with you, then yes, you can do it without excessive dieting—you just have to put in the time. Add more ab movements to your routine and increase the repetitions. Don’t be overly concerned with the most precise movement—quantity counts when it comes to abs.
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Ask Tony articles are reprinted by permission of Ms. Fitness magazine at P.O. Box 2490, White City, OR 97503. Ms. Fitness® is a registered trademark of Wally Boyko Productions, Inc., in the USA, Canada, European Union and other countries. All rights reserved. Wally Boyko Productions, Inc. P.O. Box 2490 White City, OR 97503 USA 1.541.830.0400 |
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