(ThyBlackMan.com) It’s safe to assume that most people who workout have the goal of looking great. And that includes having ripped abs. The trouble is, that many of us hold a lot of fat around our stomachs. Therefore, getting rid of that layer of fat and revealing your abs can be particularly challenging.
However, there are some tips you can start using right away to begin sculpting your abs. Take a look below!
1. Dieting
There’s a common phrase used in fitness nowadays – abs are built in the kitchen. And that couldn’t be truer. Everyone has abdominal muscles, so why are some people’s more on show than others?
Well there are a few key things to consider. Genetics, body fat, and how often they are trained.
However, body fat is the key one there. The only way to truly reveal your abs in all their glory is to diet down. This means putting yourself into a caloric deficit and losing fat everywhere. You can’t specifically target your abs to lose more fat than your chest, just as you can’t target where your body stores fat.
Training your abs may help to develop them, but you’ll never truly see them unless you’re at a low enough body fat percentage.
The best way to stick to a diet is to prepare the meals yourself. Ideally, you could cook meals in batches to last you a few days. That way, you don’t have to think everyday about what to make and you’re less likely to cheat.
2. You’re not Sleeping Enough
Adequate sleep is one of the most important, yet overlooked, aspects to health and fitness in general. If you’re not sleeping enough, the stress hormone cortisol is raised, which causes the body to keep hold of fat. Furthermore, various studies have proven that proper sleep can boost your testosterone levels, which is great for building muscle and losing fat.
The amount of sleep everyone requires will vary, but you should be waking up feeling restored and well-rested. If not, then you should aim to get more sleep. Anywhere from 7-9 hours is recommended for most people.
Improving your sleep will aid your body in burning fat more effectively, and as a result, you’ll be able to see your abs better than ever!
3. Stop Crunching So Much!
One of the most popular exercises in the gym (after the beloved bench press) are crunches. There’s a common misconception that if you directly train your abs and feel a good burn, you’ll see them pop more.
However, the reality is, you could do thousands of crunches every day and still not have the abs you desire. This all goes back to the amount of fat your body is carrying. Losing the weight should be your main priority.
But as far as exercises for abs are concerned, try to stick to the compound lifts that really engage your core. These include squats, bench press, and deadlifts. Since these are typically heavier movements, you’ll have to engage your core to the max!
Final Tips
Try using all the above tips simultaneously to see the best results. Lifting heavy, engaging your abs, doing cardio, and being in a caloric deficit will have you well on your way to those six-pack abs you’ve always wanted. The more muscle you build, the more effective your body will be at burning fat too!
Patience and consistent hard work, doing the right things, will help to sculpt your abs.
Staff Writer; Lamar Jacobs
Your Fitness Guru and more… Feel free to contact him at; LamarJ@ThyBlackMan.com.