Want Six-Pack Abs?
By GymChick

The most common question I receive to my website is: “How many sit-ups should I do to get six-pack abs?”

Well folks, it’s not all about doing sit-ups… In fact, sit-ups are the easiest part about having a great set of abs! It goes much deeper than that…I’ve found over the years that it’s more about proper eating. Yes folks, it’s all about what you eat. When it comes to lean and sexy abs, it’s essential that you consume foods such as chicken, fish, eggs, and fresh vegetables. (Rule of thumb for protein intake is 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight)

Carbohydrates are also an important factor and should include brown rice, sweet potatoes and oatmeal. I have also found that vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are conducive to the “tightening” process that results in a well-defined and sleek set of abs. (This is due to their high-water content).

Obviously, you must avoid eating junk food, watch your fat intake and be sure to drink plenty of water. Do not consume alcohol… A six pack of beer does not give you six-pack abs! Incorporating cardio into your workout routine is crucial… Doing a ton of crunches and sit-ups day after day does not burn fat from your stomach.

Cardiovascular exercise is the only exercise that will burn bodyfat. Remember… Weight training builds your muscles and cardio BURNS FAT. The “fluffy” layer on your middle needs to be burned off to reveal the hidden “abiliciousness” underneath! You need to do cardio at least 30 minutes a day, 3-4 times per week to lose bodyfat. Also, you must make it count… You’ll have to work for those six-pack abs and SWEAT. If you are conditioned to do 30 minutes of cardio already, you may need to “bundle-up” and throw on a thermal shirt under your sweat jacket… In other words, bring up your body temperature and burn off the fat more efficiently.

As for actually training your abs, you should train them 3 times per week (i.e., Mon/Wed/Fri) Remember, training abs every day won’t speed up the process because you need to let your muscles rest … If they don’t rest, your abs won’t have a chance to grow. To achieve best results, use resistance exercises and aim for 15 reps per set. I recommend incline bench sit-ups, leg raises with a dumbbell between your feet, cable crunches, and hyper extensions.

I also recommend side bends for the obliques – However, chicks take note: These will make your waist appear “thicker” so I generally recommend this exercise more for the guys. One final word of advice for six-pack abs… When doing these exercises, perform the reps in a slow and controlled motion for optimum results.


Stay strong – stay safe!
GymChick