How to Get a Flat Stomach - Myths About Ab Exercises for Six Pack Abs

There are a lot of myths floating around about how you can get a flat stomach and six pack abs. The reason these myths persist is because, well, they sound true. If something sounds like it makes sense, it can be hard not to believe it's a fact.

However, something sounding true and actually being true are two different things. Here are some of the most common myths about having a flat stomach:

Myth #1: Ab Exercises Will Burn Off Belly Fat

The idea that doing abdominal exercises will burn the fat in your stomach area seems to make sense. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Doing ab exercises will strengthen and tone your stomach muscles. And any exercise will help burn fat. But only if your workout burns more calories than you consume.

This is why those stomach gadgets you see advertised on infomercials aren't really effective. Some of this equipment might help strengthen your stomach muscles but, like other targeted exercises, they don't burn belly fat.

Myth #2: You Have To Do Hundreds of Reps for an Exercise to Be Effective

This is another myth. You don't have to do a hundred sit-ups or crunches a day to have a six pack. Doing just ten or twenty crunches during your abdominal workout can have the same results.

What is important is that you do the exercises the right way. Doing a specific ab exercise the wrong way is half as effective as doing that exact same exercise the right way. Meaning that, if you do an exercise incorrectly, it could take you twice as long to get the results you want.

Doing an exercise incorrectly can also be harmful, causing injury to your neck or back. Before you try a new ab exercise, make sure you know exactly how it should be done. If, while in the middle of a workout, you realize you are doing it wrong, stop and start over.

Myth #3: You Need To Exercise Your Abs Every Day

This is another myth that seems to make sense. If you want a flat, toned stomach, doing exercises that focus on that area every day sounds logical.

But exercises are actually more effective if you give your muscles a chance to rest and recover. So you will get better results faster if you do your ab workout every other day, rather than every day.

Some of the myths about getting a flat stomach sound true. But, if you want to see real results, you have to ignore the myths and focus on what really works.

One of the best programs that is designed to help you get a lean, defined and flat stomach is The Truth About Six Pack Abs. It is fully designed to teach you how to get your own flat, washboard stomach. It also exposes all the myths related to abdominal fat loss and why most methods don't work.

And don't forget that to make those washboard abs visible, you'll need to get rid of belly fat before they'll make an appearance. For more weight loss articles and reviews, be sure to visit http://dietinspector.com/

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The Best Ab Exercise to Do on An Exercise Ball - It's Not Crunches

I Am Not a Big Believe in the Majority of Ab Exercises

The problem with doing crunches to work your abs is that you will eventually kill your back. To be honest, six pack abs are really more about diet and cardio than they are about ab exercises. That being said, it certainly doesn't hurt to work your abs directly if you choose an effective exercise. I have discovered a great one, but let's talk about traditional ab exercises first.

Crunches Don't Work Your Whole Abdominal Region

When you do a set of crunches you are really just isolating the rectus abdominis. This is the main muscle that people think about when they think about six pack abs. It runs from the pelvic bone to the lower chest. Crunch type exercises really target the upper abdominals extremely well and the lower abs to a certain extent. The problem with focusing on just this part of the abs, is you are ignoring a very large portion of your abdomen.

How to Work Your Entire Abdominal Region in One Exercise

I have found a wonderful exercise that is healthy for your back and will build amazing definition over your entire midsection. Have you ever heard of "planks"? I'll try to explain in words. Think of doing a push up on the floor. Your body is flat like a board while doing the push up. This is caused by tightening up your body and midsection. Well a "plank" is similar to being in push up position, but you are resting on your elbows instead of your hands. Instead of doing any sort of motion you are just going to hold your body in a stiff "board like" fashion for as long as possible.

How Can a Static Hold Build Definition?

Believe it or not, static holds are an amazing way to build definition. If you want to build a muscle then it is best to perform resistance exercise through a range of motion. With abs, you really don't want to build up the muscle, you want to increase the density and definition in that muscle. Static holds are perfect for this. It defines your intercostals, obliques, and every part of your torso. This is kind of a revolutionary way of thinking about getting a six pack, but it works extremely well! It will tighten and sharpen instead of building bulk.

How to Do Planks On An Exercise Ball

This is actually quite simple. Just put your feet on the floor and your elbows on the ball. Make sure you keep your body as straight as a board. What you will find is that it is easy at first, but in a minute or two you will start to wobble around a bit. You may even find that a certain part of your midsection starts to burn or hurt. Planks on an exercise ball really expose your week points. When this exercise becomes easy, put your elbows close together or roll the ball forward a bit. Give this exercise a shot 3-4 times a week and you will transform your abdominal area.

About the Author: Rusty Moore is a trainer who gives advice to men and women who want a body that attracts the opposite sex. Don't train to be bulky! Learn the fitness secrets of Hollywood's finest and get lean six pack abs and rocking body instead. Visit his site today...Fitness Black Book

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