When you see someone with a terrific-looking midsection, you can bet they're in phenomenal shape overall. Bulking up takes some work, but it isn't anywhere near as difficult as getting good looking abs. To get six pack abs you need to have low body fat, in order to do this you need to watch how many calories you eat each day. As well as a good diet you need to do plenty of cardio and have an ab routine designed to give you definition. This article will show you how to workout with planks and get well defined abs that are guaranteed to look great if you can get a body fat below 11%.
Common ab workout mistakes I see in the gym
A common mistake I always see at the gym is people focusing on crunches when trying to workout their abs. Almost every time I see someone in the gym doing their abs they do some type of crunch. When you do crunch exercises, your lower back will experience undue stress. And compared to the plank hold, crunches only contract the ab muscles 30 percent of the time. This pretty much means that planks are 3 times as effective as any type of crunch exercise. Crunches can also promote poor posture.
So now you want to know which movements would be best for getting great abs.
When it comes to your abs, isometric exercises are the most important. When you do muscle-building exercises that involve muscle contractions against resistance, but use no movement, you are doing isometric exercises. This is the best way to define your abs without making them bigger.
Don’t use weight when performing ab exercises or your midsection will become big and bulky looking just like any other muscle that you build with weights.
Why Planks Are Better
When you perform a plank it works your whole midsection. A plank works on your upper and lower abs, your lower back, and your obliques. These exercises are also known to prevent back injuries and to contribute to good posture. I also love the fact that they teach your abs to stay contracted in a regular standing or lying position (they make your abs look great in a neutral position).
My simple yet effective ab routine
Do right side planks for 2 minutes.
Two-minute plank (left side)
30 seconds rest
2 minute regular plank
Rest for 60 seconds.
2 minute exercise ball plank
Get this workout done in under 10 minutes then go out and enjoy life. I always recommend efficient workouts on my site, because I believe it shouldn't take an excessive amount of time to do your exercises, and you shouldn't waste time at a gym.
When you're starting out, use one-minute holds for each movement, gradually building your tolerance up to two-minute holds. Basically, your abs will become better defined when you can hold the movements longer.
Perform this plank workout 2 or 3 times a week for a couple of months and your abs will look fantastic. And your midsection will have more strength and tightness than you've ever known.
