YOUR AB EXERCISES AREN’T WORKING!
Putting in the effort, but still l missing a washboard? Fitness expert xpert Tiffiny Hall debunks common myths
FAIRYTALE 1 CRUNCHES GIVE YOU ABS
It’s important to learn that you cannot out-train a bad diet, and you certainly can’t out-crunch one either! Low body fat means you’ll be able to see your abs, and this comes from diet – with 80 per cent of your weight loss happening in the kitchen. Eat clean and watch your portions, and soon those abs will reveal themselves.
FAIRYTALE 2 AB WORK GIVES BETTER POSTURE
Nope! If anything, a bad crunch will hurt your back and ravage your posture more. Focus on core work for better posture and to help relieve back pain.
FAIRYTALE 3 A BIKINIREADY SIXPACK MEANS TRAINING ABS DAILY
Completely false. All of your muscle groups need to be trained and pushed through a full range of different movements, allowing them to rebuild and recover. Twice a week of ab training is enough, and remember to never train your abs on consecutive days.
FAIRYTALE 4 HUNDREDS OF CRUNCHES GET RESULTS
Wrong again. Your abs are a muscle and you have to train them just like you would your legs or arms. Say goodbye to crunching out endless reps – it’s time to embrace progressive resistance training by doing sets with weights and slowly increasing the load over time.
FAIRYTALE 5 CRUNCHES ARE THE BEST AB EXERCISE
Isolation exercises won’t tone your stomach, including exercises that involve a larger group of muscles. Try incorporating some hip flexors, pelvic floor exercises and oblique twists, too. Kicking and punching is also a fantastic way to work your core through rotation and power. Core is our aim, not training for abs!