In just a couple of weeks we're going to be watching some of the world's most elite athletes compete. From beach volleyball players to swimmers and almost every sport in between, one thing you're sure to see on your TV screen are some rock-hard abs.

Core strength is so important to many sports. Women's Health Magazine got some tips from Olympic trainers on developing those gold medal abs. Some of the moves are:

• Hanging Straight-Leg Raise. This move is no joke. (My abs are aching just reading about it.) You'll hang from a pull-up bar then, keeping your head and back straight, slowly raise your legs until they're parallel to the floor.
  
• Walking Lunge Plate Twist. Hold a 10 to 25-pound weight plate in front of your chest and stand with your feet hip-width apart. Lunge forward with your right leg until it's parallel with the floor. Twist your upper body 90 degrees to the right. Return to the starting position and repeat on the left side.
• Twisting Windmill. Lay on your back with your arms out to the sides. Raise your legs until they're perpendicular to the floor. Slowly lower your leg to the left side of your body. Lift and repeat on the right side.

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From Sean Connery to Roger Moore, to Pierce Brosnan, to the new kid on the block, Daniel Craig... James Bond has been a symbol of suave and sexy. Thanks to celebrity trainer, Mary Sullivan, you can get fit like Bond, James Bond.

• Biceps are Forever. Use hand weights or even canned goods to complete these bicep a tricep curls.
• The Abs Are Not Enough. Alternating sit-ups and leg lifts are the keys to Bond-like rock-hard abs.
• For Your Legs Only. This stationary seat move and some power lunges will get your legs in great shape.
• The Man with the Golden Pecs. Arm presses and press-ups will define your pecs in no time.

Read the full article for details on all the moves.

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A flat stomach -- something we all want but only a few really have. Here are some "back to basics" tips to getting there:

• Eat enough everyday. In other words, don't "over-diet" and slow down your metabolism (you'll burn less fat). And make a point to eat healthy foods.
• Build and tone muscle with strength training. If you strengthen your core you'll burn more fat, look leaner, and your abs will be more defined. For suggested moves, complete with animated instructions, click here.
• Burn fat and boost your metabolism with cardio. Go to the gym or get active outside to lose inches and flatten your midsection.
• Don't work your abs more than 3 times a week. The key to a tight tummy is generalized fitness -- there's no such thing as targeted weight loss. So definitely exercise your abs regularly, but give them the time they need to heal in between workouts.

If I was to throw my own tip in here, it would probably say "be diligent!" Honestly, most of this stuff I've heard before. It's making a plan and sticking to it that's tough for me.

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