It’s one of the hardest muscles to work out, the one everyone wants looking perfect, and is the muscle group that everyone, no matter who you talk to, has advice about. Abs! But are all those ab experts right? We bust 5 myths about your midsection that will hopefully allow you to attack your core better, no matter what anyone tells you.
Fiction
Just doing stomach specific exercises will drop abdominal fat.
Fact
As much sense as that theory makes, it isn’t true. There is no such thing as spot specific reduction. People shed fat differently. What works for one person may not have the same results for someone else. A good overall exercise plan and proper nutrition drops ab (and other) fat. Don’t stop doing sit-ups, just don’t rely on them exclusively to drop your mid-section bulge.
Fiction
Ab machines are the only way to tone your stomach.
Fact
While they are useful, ab machines will only do so much, limiting you in your pursuit of abdominal perfection. Incorporating a variety of ab related exercise is your best route, attacking your mid-section from different angles. Diversity is the key.
Fiction
Sit-ups do more for you than crunches.
Fact
While any old school ab aficionado will tell you that sit-ups are far superior than crunches, they’re not really right. In fact, while crunches appear to take less effort, they actually force your abs to do the same amount of extra work, minus the potential stress on your neck, and chances for cheating.
Fiction
Just work your abs a couple times a week, that’s all they need.
Fact
While you need to allow your muscles sufficient time to repair after working out (typically 48 hours at minimum), your abs are unique, having the ability to be worked out as much as 4 or 5 times a week without being overworked.
Fiction
Stick to the basics.
Fact
While many stick to simply doing a quick and boring round of sit-ups to work their abs, blasting them from a variety of angles with new and exciting techniques is even more beneficial, and fun! Go to google, search “ab exercises”, and explore. As long as you’re not experiencing any pain from the exercise you’ve discovered, and are also garnering glorious results, keep doing it!