Abs solution
Whenever I write about abs, or getting a six-pack, or just about anything related to toning up your midsection, I always feel the need to mention fat loss. I use it as a kind of disclaimer, really; without dropping body fat, a person will never have a defined stomach. Do as many ab exercises as you want; the fact is, if you don't drop some of the blubber, you're abs will never pop.
There, I feel better. Now I feel as though I can speak freely about two lesser-known ab exercises that will help tone and firm those muscles in and around your stomach.
First up is the Barbell Roll-Out. Start by kneeling on the ground while holding a barbell out in front of you (also on the ground, not in the air). From there, roll out until your chest just about touches the floor. Next, pull yourself back using your core muscles.
Next up is an exercise known as the Air Cycle. To do it, lie on your back with your feet in the air, directly over your head. Then, lift your butt up off the ground and begin pedaling your feet as if you were riding an invisible bike. This is a very difficult exercise, so don't be discouraged if you can only hold in this position for a few seconds at first. Over time, you'll be able to perform it for much longer.
Adding these two exercises to your abdominal routine should help you along. Still, you must (redundancy in 3 - 2 - 1) focus on burning fat through cardio if you want to see those abs you're secretly building.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-03-2008 @ 4:11PM
Vishaal said...
My question is...HOW do I get round defined shoulders. NOT bulky shoulders, but just round and defined?????
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4-03-2008 @ 4:14PM
JR The Bo$$ said...
But if you do ab exercises, won't you build your ab muscles; which in return will help you loose fat?
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4-05-2008 @ 11:27PM
Susan said...
Of course building muscle of any type helps burn calories, but if you are 30lbs over weight...you cant expect to see ripped abs, by "only" doing ab workouts. To see any form of lean muscle mass you have to get rid of the layers of fat on top of it, and the only way to do that is a healthy diet with cardio added into your exercise routine.
4-05-2008 @ 11:27PM
Susan said...
I actually used to do that barbell roll out a couple years ago, after watching one of those ab roller commercial, kinda created my own DIY one. Honestly for me, it was the best ab exercise ive ever done. It helped me get my 6-pack (that i had that the time, not so much anymore...lol) Im currently getting back into working out again, and def will be adding that back into my schedule.
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4-11-2008 @ 8:35PM
rrr said...
The picture that's included with this article is frightening.
It is not inspiring, it looks like a defect.
I'm pretty sure that guy could hide stuff in that gap down the middle of his stomach muscles.
Unless it's just my computer screen......
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6-07-2008 @ 1:00PM
Charles said...
The barbell rollout is a tough exercise. It works the abs really hard, but it also places a lot of pressure on the lower back.
You can do the same type of exercise with a stability ball and it will place less pressure on your back. Here's a picture of the stability ball versions http://www.ab-core-and-stomach-exercises.com/ab-wheel.html
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