I had the television on last night while I was making dinner and an infomercial caught my attention. It was for an interesting looking workout machine designed to “flatten your abs and help define your six pack”. Now I know I do a fairly good job of staying in shape, but I couldn’t help but want to learn more. Is it possible that an ab-specific workout could really help me define a six-pack?
I decided to look deeper into the issue and see what I could find. Martica Heaner, M.A., M.Ed. argues that these many of these products and quick fixes are not the solution for flat abs. Instead, she encourages focusing on cardiovascular exercise and healthier eating habits. While many different kinds of sit-ups and crunches will help strengthen your abdominals, they will not get rid of the fat on top of them.
Even if you have abs of steel, excess weight will prevent you from seeing any results. Abdominal exercises will not give us a flat stomach. Aerobic exercise and proper nutrition will help us slim down and that, in turn, will help flatten our abs. Genetics can also play a small role in this.
Here’s a few suggestions for some great cardio workouts!
Bicycling. This high-energy workout can be done outdoors on the trails or inside on a stationary bike. Depending on your speed and resistence, you can burn anywhere from 250 to 500 calories in a half hour!
Swimming. You’ll get a great full-body workout while swimming. Additionally, swimming adds a great element of resistence, intensifying the workout. Doing the breast stroke for a half hour will burn approximately 400 calories.
Cross country skiing. Perfect for Wisconsin winters, cross country skiing is another great cardio workout. This activity allows you to work your upper and lower body simultaneously and you can burn over 400 calories in 30 minutes.
So, while abdominal exercises are still important for a strong, healthy core, they alone will not help flatten your belly. Consistent cardiovascular exercise, a healthy diet and good genetics are the “secrets” to a flat stomach.
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