By Amy Schlinger; Photograph by Freepik
You may be sabotaging your six-pack goals.
It’s a new year, which means there’s no time like the present to finally tone up your tummy. You found a bunch of quick abs workouts and plan to do them everyday, because that’s the best way to chisel your middle, right?
Not quite. When you do the same exercises every day, you may be causing more harm than good. “Every time you strength train, you cause micro-tears in the muscle,” says Astrid Swan, NASM-certified master trainer at Barry’s Bootcamp in West Hollywood, CA (who also has a killer six-pack). “The muscle needs time to heal, and as it heals, it grows and you see results.” By doing the same exercise, or working out the same part of the body over and over again, you won’t get more fit or make gains. Instead, you’ll be more prone to plateau or cause an overuse injury. “Your abs are like any other muscle you train, so giving time for the muscles to grow and heal is crucial,” says Swan. “When I do an abs circuit, I use variety and I also give my abdominals and body time to rest and recover.”
READ MORE: The Number-One Sign Your Abs Workouts Aren’t Working
Strengthening the core is important, not only to achieve a flat belly but also for improved posture, balance, and to help relieve lower back pain. But like most things in fitness, too much of anything is not a good thing. “All the benefits of strengthening your core can revert back if overdone,” says Swan, “with postural issues and muscle imbalance being the most significant.”
Plus, a big part of getting your abs in check has to do with what you’re eating. “You have seen the memes on social media!” says Swan, noting that abs really are made in the kitchen. “Working on your abs in the gym is very important, but not as much as working on the ingredients you are consuming. No amount of variation with crunches will develop a six-pack if you are over indulging in the calorie department!”
READ MORE: This 6-Move Workout Reveals Your Abs By Targeting Your Entire Core
So what’s the best way to get results? Swan suggests balancing a healthy diet with cardio and strength work. “I recommend to my clients work out hard five times a week, taking a day between for a lighter workout and a full day of rest,” says Swan. “My advice is to work out hard and then let the body recover. You will see results faster and be happier with your efforts from working out!”
This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com
