Developing a visible set of six-pack abs is not easy. It takes a lot more than a few daily sets of crunches and sit-ups. When it comes down to it, building a chiseled core takes a holistic approach to fitness. You need a program that blends smart diet decisions with core-focused training and some total-body resistance moves.
That being said, a shredded set of abdominal muscles is real and achievable for most people. In this article, we’ll walk you through four important tips for developing stronger, visible, and defined ab muscles. Read on.
Eat Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Lean Proteins
As the general saying goes, abs are made in the kitchen. The underlying theory is that building your abs has a lot to do with your diet. And it’s true; you won’t be able to get a six-pack unless a healthy diet is part of the equation.
If you want to see your abs, it’s important to fill your diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. These foods are not only rich in micronutrients and antioxidants, but can also increase metabolism and keep you feeling full between meals.
And it’s not just about what you eat, the frequency of your meals is also important. Instead of the more conventional three meals, some experts recommend six smaller meals per day. Smaller, more frequent meals can help you curb hunger and avoid overindulging.
Consistent Exercise with Weights and Cardio
When it comes to building muscle and increasing ab definition, exercise is just as important as diet. Follow a consistent weight-training and cardio program to burn fat and build muscle.
Activities that increase your heart rate, including jogging, swimming, boxing, and even walking, are known as cardio exercises. Weight training involves the use of weighted bars, dumbbells, kettlebells, etc., to increase strength and build muscle.
Cardio exercises burn fat during the workout, while weight training leaves your body in a caloric deficit. This means your body will keep burning fat even after the workout. To get the optimal fat burning rate you need to stay lean, incorporate cardio, weight training, and HIIT exercises into your routine.
Train Your Abs Frequently
While getting your body-fat levels very low will allow your abs to appear, it won’t make them ‘pop.’ You need to train your midsection regularly to build defined abs. That being said, you don’t need to do a thousand sit-ups per day to see results.
For novice and intermediate fitness enthusiasts, training your abs at least three times per week will do the trick. Implement targeted ab moves such as crunches, sit-ups, planks, ab-wheel rollouts, mountain climbers, etc., into your routine. Sworkit offers a variety of customizable ab workouts, including 5 Minute Abs, ABsolutely Awesome, Advanced Abs & Core, Pilates for Abs & Core, and more!
Get At Least 7 Hours of Sleep
If you are trying to build shredded abdominal muscles, the amount of sleep you get could be just as important as diet and exercise. Getting less than 7 hours of sleep is significantly associated with weight gain and greater waist circumference.
ABsolute Bottom Line
Finding a balance between diet and exercise is the most efficient way to help you achieve your goals. But that’s easier said than done, especially if you don’t have a smart, trainer-backed program to get there — which most people don’t.
At Sworkit, we understand that not everyone can afford expensive gym equipment or daily personal instruction. Our exercise app provides guided workouts that can be accomplished anywhere, anytime, and within any constraints.
With our expertise and effective techniques, you will be able to get hands-on result-oriented workouts to help you develop those shredded abs you’ve always wanted. Start a new Sworkit plan to help you get closer to your weight loss and muscle-building goals.
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