4 Myths About Getting a Flatter Stomach
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
No other part of the body is written about, talked about or advertised for then your stomach and abdominals. Heck there are whole categories of products (Ab belts and Ab machines) targeted at strengthening this area of the body. Unfortunately what can happen with all this hype around on particular topic is the information that is correct and that which is mere fiction can become blurred and the truth can become covered by a bunch of myths used to sell and market ab and stomach specific fitness products.
In today’s post I want to share with you 5 flat stomach myths that are thought by many to be true, but unfortunately they are not.
#1 If You Do Stomach Focussed Exercise You will Burn Stomach Fat
This myth is based on something known as spot reduction. The theory of spot reduction goes something like this, if you train a specific part of the body then you will burn fat away from that part of the body. An example of this would be doing sit-ups which would burn off belly fat. Unfortunately this theory doesn’t hold up. You cannot burn fat from a specific part of you body. Instead you burn fat from your body all over when you exercise. This goes whether you’re doing a sit-up or running laps at a track.
#2 Your Ab Muscles are Strengthened Differently then Other Muscles
The biggest mistake made to do with this myth is that people will work out their abdominals each and everyday without rest. You wouldn’t go into the gym everyday and do biceps and triceps right? So why would you do this to your abs and stomach muscles? The result of training this way doesn’t result in better results it will result in over training issues, sore muscles and possibly injury. If you were using a muscle toning device such as The Flex Belt (learn more here) or ProForm Ab Glider (learn more here) then you might find you’d be doing more workouts through the week since these are not as intense as a full on ab workout at the gym.
#3 To Get Results from Stomach Exercises You Must do High Reps
As with all other parts of our body, the answer to getting a flatters stomach and stronger abdominals is quality not quantity. You would not go into the gym and try to do 75 chin ups right? So why would you try and do 100 crunches? If you’re finding that you are doing that many crunches, or even 30+ for that matter and you’re not feeling “the burn” then you’d better check your technique to ensure you’re doing things properly, otherwise you could end up with some back or neck injuries.
#4 You Must Have Specific Stomach Training Equipment
While specific equipment such as an ab toning belt, or ab machine is nice to improve your workout and keep your technique consistent they are by no means a requirement to get a flat stomach. You can achieve results with regular situ-ups, crunches and a handful of other exercise you can do with the help of a Yoga mat. Don’t fall victim to thinking the only way to a flat stomach and/or six pack abs is to buy some large piece of home fitness equipment. You don’t need it.