Travis Hunt

Excercise for Lower Abs – Yes or No

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Some experts debate the benefits of exercise for the lower abs. Does everybody have lower abs? And can you really target them? These questions are simple and common enough, but the answers may surprise you.

1. How many ab muscles do you have?
2. Can you target them?
3. Does it work?

Some people will tell you that there are separate upper and lower abdominal muscles. This is technically not correct. Your abdominal muscle, the rectis abdominis, is a group of muscles that are all connected to each other.

But that’s just one part of the whole story.

So, does targeting your upper and lower abs separately make a difference?

Well, the jury’s still out on that one. But, scientific studies have shown that some workouts work your lower abs better than others, while some are better suited for developing the upper abs.

Scientists at the University of Nebraska deduced that the reverse curl causes the greatest amount of activity in the lower abdominal region, while movements such as the trunk curl and twist curl seem to target the upper abdominals more effectively.

However, an interesting thing to note is that, according to recent physical therapy research, only some people actually have a distinctly separate lower abdominal muscle, called the pyramidalis. This means that lower abdominal targeting may only be effective for people who have this optional muscle – about 80% of people.

Most fitness experts do not recommend doing anything special to target the lower abdominals, but, instead, alternating between different types of movements that work the midsection. This should ensure a proper workout of all of the abdominal muscles that you DO have.

Great excercise for lower abs can be any of the following:
* Curls
* Crunches
* Bicycles
* Sit Ups

Of course, the discussion of upper and lower abs and who has them and whether they should be targeted obscures the advice that fitness specialists have been giving us for years.

Ab targeting is still an important consideration, but not quite as important as proper diet.

It doesn’t matter how much you work your abs if they’re covered in fat. Following a low fat diet and performing regular cardio workouts, such as walking or running is the most important part of any ab training routine. With this added to your fitness regimen, the fat will be melting right off of your belly.

So, eat right, stay fit, and perform a regular excercise for lower abs. Keep it up, and keep at it. Soon you’ll be stronger, healthier, and have abs that will make people stare, in a good way.

How about you? Do you recommend developing your lower abs as part of your training? Share your opinion below.

How to Get Nice Abs – 3 Tips for the Perfect Workout Environment

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I’m sure you’ve read countless magazine articles and web posts on how to get nice abs. Sometimes, it may start to feel like a chore. This leads to passivity and, most often than not, laziness.

The best way to work out your abs is by making it as comfortable and as fun as possible. Sure, it is considered as WORK. But as with any other form of labor, you must enjoy every second to really get the most out of it.

Once you get your total fitness plan all ironed out, it is time to figure out WHERE you can carry out these exercises. Answering this question will better help you understand how to get nice abs.

Establishing a favorable workout environment allows your mind and body to become at ease even while doing the most challenging of exercises. In doing so, you are simultaneously creating a routine that, ultimately, can be stress-free and fun. I mean, who wouldn’t want a pleasant workout experience?

The More the Merrier

If you get motivation from working with others or if you generally need support while doing your ab routine, then going to the gym or other exercise facilities would be ideal for you. Most of these establishments have free trial sessions or, if you’re lucky, extended trial periods. Taking advantage of these promotions will help you make up your mind easily.

People you work out with can definitely show you how to get nice abs, especially if they have six pack abs themselves. Working out with equally driven individuals can be very encouraging, and you can even pick up more tips along the way.

The Lone Star

Exercising in the midst of gorgeous bodies and health buffs could be highly motivating, but it can also go the other way, especially if you don’t feel comfortable around many people. The idea of keeping up with the exercise maniac next to you can be somewhat intimidating, I get that.

But don’t you worry because you can still get results fast even when you work out on your own. The best part is that you won’t even have to leave your house.

How to get nice abs at home, you ask? All you need to do is pick a peaceful spot; somewhere spacious and private, like your bedroom, the basement, your garage, or even the backyard.

The Right Stuff

Stocking up on useful yet inexpensive exercise tools can also ensure a fun and effective workout. Some things you might want to have lying around are decent workout music, an exercise mat, an exercise ball, interactive workout videos, and the like.

You can easily stack and store these items in a shelf or storage room nearby. Less hassle and double the fun, that’s what we’re going for.

Consistency will definitely show you how to get nice abs. By picking the most convenient and comfortable workout environment, you can enjoy every minute and get really nice abs in no time at all.

Belly Fat Health Risks

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Did you know that most people today carry excess abdominal fat? Many studies have already proven that around 70% of people in first world countries like the United States are now either overweight or obese. Most of these people carry not only unsightly but also dangerous belly fat. In fact, there are numerous belly fat health risks that are already proven.

Health Problems related to Belly Fat

A new study conducted by the highly regarded Mayo Clinic proved that people who have excess belly fat are at a greater risk of having health problems. However, belly fat is more common in men compared to women. Here’s a fact for you. Men tend to store fat in the abdominal area while women tend to store fat in other areas like the hips and legs.

Nevertheless, regardless of sex and overall weight, carrying a large amount of belly fat increases risk for heart disease, stroke, hypertension, some types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, insulin resistance and many other health problems.

Types of Belly Fat

Let’s examine this idea closely. There are actually two types of belly fat namely subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is the type of belly fat that is located directly beneath the skin above the abdominal muscles. On the other hand, visceral fat is the type of belly fat that is located deeper in the abdomen beneath the abdominal muscles. Visceral fat surrounds the internal organs.

Now, listen closely. Although both types of belly fat are serious health risk factors, several studies indicate that visceral fat is more dangerous compared to subcutaneous fat. This is because this particular type of belly fat releases more toxic substances to the body.

How to Minimize or Eliminate Belly Fat Health Risks

Here’s the bottom line. The best way to minimize or eliminate these serious health risks of belly fat is to reduce belly fat or to lose excess weight. To stress, the best way to do so is through a proper diet and exercise program. Focus here. You cannot spot-reduce or specifically lose belly fat through abdominal exercises, okay? You have to create a daily calorie deficit by eating less and exercising more.

Everyone knows that although dieting alone works, exercising helps make the process faster. Also, exercise has numerous health benefits like better cardiovascular health, new brain cell development, anti-depressant properties and many more.

Fact! A high carbohydrate diet leads to insulin resistance after some time and this is one of the major reasons why some people carry more visceral fat. This means that you have to minimize sugar and starch intake in order to prevent the accumulation of visceral fat. Also, according to studies, high fructose intake is one of the major causes of having excess visceral fat. In terms of exercise, the best way to reduce visceral fat is through high intensity exercise like interval training and circuit training. Undeniably, these are proven to be more effective in weight loss and reducing belly fat compared to traditional low intensity cardiovascular exercise and abdominal exercises.

Do you have your own belly fat health issues? Share with others how you conquered them.

Build Abs Fast – 3 Facts to Remember

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Sure-fire ways to build rock-hard abs in a few weeks. Learn more…

If you’re like most everyone, you want to build abs fast. I mean, who doesn’t?

I know you want to see results FAST- that’s a given. And unfortunately, there’s no magic lotion or potion for it, but there are things you can do to achieve ripped abs in the shortest possible time. All you need to remember are these 3 simple facts:

1. Burn Fat Fast with a Fast Metabolism.

Did you know that training your body hard increases your metabolic rate? And when you have a fast metabolism, your body is actually working WITH you to get rid of excess body fat fast!

The first step to increasing your metabolism requires you to re-evaluate your diet.

A good diet is the first thing you should take on to build abs fast. Cutting down on unhealthy fats and starchy foods will make it easier for your body to put your metabolism in high gear.

Avoid foods that are high in simple sugars and starches such as white bread, white rice, pastries, candy bars, and soda. Always read the nutrition label of food packages and learn how to tell which ingredients are good or bad for you.

Even the slightest improvement in your diet can help you a great deal.

2. Burn Fat Fast with Cardio Workouts.

Nothing burns fat and gets faster results than the right kind of cardiovascular exercises. Doing the right kind of cardio provides you with a complete body workout. Cardio that works with many muscle groups in your body makes it easier for you to burn excess fat all over.

Combined with targeted abs exercises, fat-burning cardio workouts can definitely help you build abs fast. Here are a few great cardio exercises:

  • Sprinting
  • Rowing
  • Swimming
  • Cycling
  • Boxing

3. Build Abs Fast with the Right Kind of Ab-specific exercises

 

Here’s a proven fact for you: traditional crunches and sit-ups are not the best exercises to build your abs fast.

Doing the following 2 simple exercises are up to 237% more effective than standard crunches (faster results):

  • Bicycle crunches
  • Exercise ball crunches

Working out isn’t a burden; it’s more of a lifestyle, really. So remember to build abs fast: choose the right food, perform fat-burning cardio workouts and the right kind of abs exercises… and if you’re serious about building ripped, defined abs, click here…

Top 3 Male Yoga Exercises for Abs

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You think male yoga exercises for abs are too…ho-hum and mild for your taste?

Most men have this notion that fast-paced, highly-intense full body workouts and backbreaking targeted abs exercises are the only forms of physical activity that can be done to result in six pack abs. Although there is some truth to that, it’s not necessarily a hard, fast rule. Laid-back fitness routines such as stretching and yoga can also get you great abs without having to constantly gasp for air.

There’s a good reason why yoga has been around for centuries. It promotes good posture, flexibility, builds strength, and conditions your whole body for maximum performance. Similarly, male yoga exercises for abs can target your core muscles, rendering them lean and tough

During yoga, your abdominal muscles, along with other hard-to-define muscle groups, are stretched, elongated, and conditioned. Performing yoga regularly will help sculpt your midsection and tone the rest of your body. It truly is a complete body routine.

There are many yoga positions you can incorporate into your fitness program, but the following are proven to be the most effective in developing abs and other muscle groups as well.

1. Yoga Crunches. Regular crunches have been a popular choice among ab builders and enthusiasts. They can also be adapted as male yoga exercises for abs.

To perform these, simply lie on the floor as you would with conventional crunches. Slowly pull in both knees toward your chest. Straighten your legs until they’re completely flexed and perpendicular to the floor.

Carefully bend your knees close to your chest again while keeping your abs taut. Be very aware of your abdominal muscles because even as you use your leg muscles for this exercise, your abs should also be working hard. Also, avoid arching your back at any time; this would isolate your midsection better. Do at least 10 reps of this exercise in a row to really work your abs.

2. Mountain Tilts. These standing male yoga exercises for abs will greatly define your abdominals, improve your posture, and lengthen your physique.

You must stand up, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, and relax your arms on each side. Lift your right arm above your head and bend to the left. Reach our as far as your fingers will go and hold it there for about 5 seconds. Go back to your starting position and do the same on the other side. Do at least 5 reps of this exercise.

3. Triangle Pose. Like the previous male yoga exercises for abs, the triangle pose requires you to stand on your feet. With your feet further apart than in mountain tilts and planted securely on the ground, point your left foot forward and turn your right foot out 90 degrees. Extend both arms on your sides and slowly bend to your left at the waist. Remember not to pivot so that your torso and head are still facing the same direction as your left foot. Rest your left hand on your leg and stretch your right as high up as you can. Hold it there for around 10-15 seconds then come back up. Switch sides and feet and do the same on the other side. Doing 3 poses on each side should be more than enough.

Male yoga exercises for abs are definitely far from drab. Give them a try today!

Have you tried any of these? Share your experience by posting your comments below.