Since you have come to this page, you have already asked yourself the question of how to pump up your abs to a six-pack and become the owner of a sculpted belly. In fact, everything is simple and if you have at least a little willpower, then you will be able to see your abs in a few months, maybe even earlier.
Before we show you a set of abdominal exercises, let's figure out why most of the population cannot see the treasured abs.
Too much fat! Fat won't help you get abs
The first and most important reason is subcutaneous fat, which so skillfully hides our flat stomach. Yes, exactly, every person has abs, whether he is fat or thin, the most important question is how much subcutaneous fat our abs hide.
So, in order to see those same seemingly inaccessible abs, you first need to get rid of excess fat. This is achieved in two ways, which are connected by unbreakable love: diet and cardio training.
We'll talk about diet a little later, but now we'll look at the importance of cardio training. Cardio training is a set of high-intensity exercises that you can perform to: burn fat, increase your endurance, and also strengthen your cardiovascular muscles.
The simplest and most effective exercise is running. Running is one of the main fighters against fat, so if you decide to pump up your six-pack abs, the first thing you should start doing is running in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach. Starting to run every morning for 30 minutes, 3 – 4 times a week is your first step towards a sculpted belly.
If you can't run in the morning, run at any other time of the day. The most important thing is to start. You can also ride a bike instead of running. But if you want to train outside, then this will help you.
To pump up your abs, you need to eat right
The next step that will help you see your abs is nutrition. It's very simple: first you need to stop eating most of your carbohydrates. Stop eating fast foods, stop eating sweets (at least for these 3-4 months).
Give preference to slow carbohydrates: buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, bran porridge, rice, all kinds of nuts, as well as vegetables. Try to eat most of your carbohydrates in the first half of the day. The percentage of carbohydrates in the general diet should be around 25 - 30%, the remaining 70 - 75% is filled with proteins: eggs, meat, milk (in small quantities), sea fish, cottage cheese, protein shakes.
Here's a sample meal plan for you:
TIME | EATING |
---|---|
08:30 | Omelette of 4 - 5 egg whites and one yolk (you can add cheese and bacon) A couple of pieces of toast bread Multi-vitamin complex Fish fat |
12:00 | 200 -250 g vegetable salad, without dressing Multi-vitamin complex Fish fat |
15:00 | 100 – 150 g of any porridge (oatmeal, buckwheat, bran) 5 – 10 g. BCAA* |
18:00 | One serving of whey protein 150 – 200 g grilled or oven-cooked meat 150 -200 g vegetable salad, without dressing Multi-vitamin complex Fish fat |
21:00 | 200 g cottage cheese + some fruit 5 – 10 g. BCAA* |
This is just a sample nutrition plan that is advisable, but not required, to be followed. The most important rule you need to understand is to reduce your carbs and increase your protein intake.
The most effective abdominal exercises
Take a parallel bars position with your arms straight. The stand must be strong - the body should not sway during movement. Keep your back straight. Bend your legs slightly at the knees and raise them to a level parallel to the floor. Hold them at the top point for a couple of seconds, then smoothly lower them down.
Attach a resistance band or use a crossover at a level just above your head in a lunge. Take a deep lunge position - standing on the knee of one leg. The second is bent at the knee and rests the foot on the floor. Pull the expander over your shoulder so that its end is near the opposite hip.
Starting position – lying down. Next, put your hands forward and spread them as wide as possible, trying to find balance in this position. Your business should form something like a star shape. Tighten your abs so that your body does not sag down or protrude upward.
Load the bar with a light weight and lie on the floor holding the bar overhead. In the starting position, hold the bar as if you were doing a bench press. Straighten your legs and leave them lying on the floor. They should not move throughout the entire exercise. Raise your body so that at the end point of the exercise it is perpendicular to the floor. The barbell at its extreme point should be in a position above your head.
Starting position: lying on the floor, legs and arms straightened, pointing at the ceiling. Hold the medicine ball with your arms outstretched. The shoulder blades and head should be pressed to the floor. Next, lift your shoulder blades off the floor, trying to reach your toes with the medicine ball.
Starting position: lying on the floor, arms and legs extended and lifted off the floor. The back, pelvis and shoulder blades are pressed tightly to the floor. A fitball is held between the shins of the legs. Simultaneously lift the pelvis and shoulder blades so as to transfer the fitball from your legs to your hands. Then, return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise, passing the ball from your hands to your feet and vice versa.
Starting position: lie on the floor, bend your knees and place them on the floor. The hands, at the same time, hold some kind of weight (pancake, barbell, disc, etc.) at chest level. Press your shoulder blades firmly to the floor. Raise your body so that your shoulder blade and lower back are off the floor. Pause at the extreme point for a second. Then, very slowly lower yourself down to the starting position.
Lie on the floor so that your back and shoulder blades are pressed firmly to the floor. Place your legs at a 90-degree angle and place your feet on the floor. In the initial position and throughout the entire approach, the arms are extended upward, towards the ceiling. Raise your body slightly so that your shoulder blades lift off the floor. Hold at the extreme point, then slowly lower to the starting position.
Stand in the “lying support” position, resting your hands on a medicine ball standing on the floor. In the initial position, the legs are extended and stand next to each other. Keep your back straight throughout the entire exercise. Pull one leg with your knee towards your chest. Then, return it to its original position, while simultaneously pulling up the second one. Perform the movement, simulating running in place.
Starting position: lying down, feet on a fitball. Pull the ball towards you with your feet so that your body is upright. Next, slowly roll the ball back and place your shins on it. The body should take a horizontal position, and the outstretched arms should be above the level of the head, but without violating the position of the emphasis on the floor. Using the strength of your abdominal muscles, return to the starting position, in which your arms are at shoulder level.
Sit on a bench and grab its edge with your hands to ensure a stable body position. Tilt your body slightly back. Extend your legs so that they form a straight line with your body. Hold a medicine ball between your shins. With a simultaneous movement, lift your body forward, and at the same time pull your legs bent at the knees towards your chest.
Sit on your knees and hold the roller so that it is strictly below shoulder level. In the initial position, the emphasis is on the toes, knees, and roller. By tensing your abdominal muscles, roll the roller forward until you feel tension in your abdominal muscles. At the end point of the exercise, the arms should be completely straight. The number of support points does not change - the hips should not lie on the floor. Working exclusively with your core muscles, return to the starting position by rolling the roller back.
Place 5kg weight plates on a long barbell. Get on your knees and place your hands on the barbell. In the starting position, it should be below shoulder level. There are three supports: toes, knees and barbell. Roll the barbell forward until you feel tension in your abdominal muscles and until your hips begin to sag. Using your abdominal muscles, roll the barbell back and return to the starting position.
Place the crossover handle at approximately shoulder level. Stand sideways to the machine. In the starting position, the body stands straight, and the body is turned slightly towards the simulator. The handle is held with both hands. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. You must stand at such a distance from the machine that the cable is taut. Moving exclusively with your body, turn so that your body is completely facing in front of you. The legs remain motionless throughout the entire exercise.
Sit on the floor, tilt your body slightly back. Hold the medicine ball with your arms extended forward. Bend your legs at the knees and place them on the floor so that your heels only rest on the floor. Starting position – hands in front of you. Next, turn your body to the left side until your lateral abdominal muscles are stretched to the maximum. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side. Movement is carried out only by the body - the pelvis and legs are tightly pressed into the floor and do not move.
Rest your elbows and forearms on the exercise ball. Place your feet on the floor and press your toes into the floor. The body should be in a straight line - do not bend or arch at the lower back. Keep your abdominal muscles constantly tense. Moving your elbows, rotate the fitball first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
Do you want to get the coveted 6 pack on your abs? Find out how to quickly get rid of your belly and sides and build abs that will be the envy of men and women.
Probably almost everyone on the planet wants to have a flat stomach or sculpted abs. Sometimes this goal seems unattainable because eating right and doing thousands of crunches is often not enough to achieve it. However, you cannot give up.
Is it hard to develop abdominal muscles that would make you proud on any beach? Not easy. Unfortunately, in pursuit of the coveted abs, people most often focus on training the abs and do not delve into the principles of creating a diet for burning fat.
What do you need for ripped abs? Just two points:
- To pump up your abdominal muscles – to get tight and strong abdominal muscles you need really hard training.
- “Show” your abdominal muscles - for high-quality relief, you need to burn excess fat while preserving muscle mass as much as possible.
This article will help you deal with both. We will look at the main myths about the abs, describe the most effective exercises and tell you what principles should be followed in nutrition for sculpted abs, what supplements should be taken and whether cardio training is needed for optimal results.
Common myths about the press
Endless crunches and sit-ups will tone your abdominal muscles and you will get 6 packs.
Not true. Perform at least a thousand crunches and sit-ups a day for several years, but you won’t get a six-pack on your stomach. Abdominal exercises make your muscles thicker and stronger, but they don't burn the fat behind your six-pack. Only the right diet aimed at burning fat will get your abs in shape.
A healthy diet will remove excess fat and give your abs definition.
Not true. Eating right is a great start, but it doesn't guarantee ripped abs. You can eat only healthy foods and still gain weight. If you don’t eat right, you can lose muscle mass, then you definitely won’t see abs. To lose fat in a balanced manner, you need to pay special attention to the number of calories you consume per day, rather than calculating the amount of protein, carbohydrates and fats you consume.
Read also: Gaining muscle mass for beginners: nutrition, training, supplements
Strength training is not necessary while dieting.
Strength training is not necessary while cutting, but it will help you stay toned and increase your muscle mass. On the other hand, if you overdo it with heavy training while dieting, you can burn both fat and muscle. You may get six-pack abs, but the overall picture won't look the best.
The press needs to be pumped as often as possible with a large number of repetitions.
This is wrong. The abs are a small muscle group, and you can work them quite often. However, you should still train your abs like any other muscle group. Often, when training the abs, athletes do not adhere to the principle of progression of loads; the training is light in nature and does not become heavier over time. It is important to train your abs hard and intensely, rather than chasing the maximum number of repetitions.
The abs should be trained 1-3 times a week. The more often you train it, the less work should be done. There is little point in daily abdominal training; it will only make it harder for the muscles to grow. Excessive exercise will not tone your abdominal muscles. Training should not be frequent, but intense. And the more intense, the stronger, thicker and more visually prominent your abs will be.
Abdominal training is dangerous for the back.
Overtraining for the abs, as for any muscle group, can be disastrous. A moderate approach to abdominal training, on the contrary, will make your lower back stronger. The abs and lower back are antagonistic muscles; their work during abdominal training is fundamentally different.
Crunches are the best exercise for training your abs.
Not really. This is not the best exercise for really strong and defined abs. Most of us can do 25-50 (or more) crunches right now. The fact that crunches are easy for anyone to do (or will become easy after a week or two of training) shows that this load is clearly not enough. As soon as the body adapts to the load, the prerequisites for the growth of muscle mass practically cease to be created.
You can stay completely dry 365 days a year!
This is almost impossible unless you are a genetic unique. Fitness models and bodybuilders featured on magazine covers have body fat levels of 5-7% or even lower. However, even for them it is much more convenient to keep the fat level at 10–12% during the rest of the year. With this level of fat, you will look a little slimmer, but you will feel much better. And you will still have abs.
A low-carb or no-carb diet is the only way to get ripped abs.
A low-carb diet is full of benefits, even natural bodybuilders and fitness models use it successfully. However, the issue of abs is not directly related to the amount of carbohydrates. Many fitness enthusiasts find great results using the principle of carbohydrate cycling, introducing high, medium and low carbohydrate days. Plus, some of you don't even need to alternate your carb intake. You just need to consume fewer calories to lose fat. We will touch on the issue of diet more than once in this article.
Read also:
It’s just as easy for women to get six-pack abs.
Not true. The female body tends to accumulate more fat. Often the fight against fat resembles a real war. However, this does not mean that it is impossible for girls to have excellent sculpted abs, it just takes a lot of effort to achieve real “dryness”.
To get ripped abs, you need to do an insane amount of cardio.
Not true. It is much more important to build a competent diet aimed at burning fat. Cardio training only helps burn calories and boost your metabolism. You don't have to walk on a treadmill or climb stairs for hours every day until you lose your mind. The most basic thing we need is diet. Only when you have figured out the issue of proper nutrition can you gradually add cardio exercise.
A six-pack requires strong abs.
Generally not necessary. Strength training will actually make your abs stronger. But for sculpted abs, sometimes you don’t even need to train them! Everyone has abdominal muscles. You don't even need training to achieve minimal results. We repeat: abs are almost entirely related to diet! Almost all thin schoolchildren have visible abs, but they have no strength. Remember, diet “shows” your abs, strength training makes them thicker and stronger. If your goal is not strong and tight abs, but going to the beach, then you should not particularly focus on abdominal training.
It's easy to maintain your abs.
This is wrong. The average person will need a lot of effort to stay in good shape. First of all, this means proper nutrition and training at least several times a week. You can lose your dream abs in a matter of days of uncontrolled eating.
The best exercises to train your abs
In this section we will look at some exercises to pump up your abs. There are both isolated exercises that load only the abs, and basic exercises in which the abs work only indirectly due to the strong load on the entire core.
The Best Isolated Ab Exercises
There are a huge variety of isolated exercises for developing the abs. Below we provide working recommendations, however, some of these exercises will be too much for beginner athletes.
“Walking” bar – a very energy-intensive exercise. Starting position: standard plank. We move forward with one hand, then with the other. Now we pull our legs forward 20 centimeters, keeping our back straight.
Sit-ups with lifting – a variation of the classic sit-up, but in a more explosive manner. The starting position is the same as a regular situp: your back is completely on the floor, your knees are bent. Now, instead of the usual sit-up, make the most sudden upward movement. After lifting the body, we move our pelvis forward a little and stand up without using our hands. This exercise can also be performed with additional weights: medicine ball, kettlebell and dumbbell.
Lifting the body with additional weights - After you have secured your legs under the bolster in the machine (“Roman chair”), lift your body to a right angle to the floor. Hold a dumbbell or an Olympic bar in your hands and lower yourself down as smoothly as possible.
Standing crunches on a block machine - stand with your back to the machine, grab the rope handle and hold its ends near your shoulders. Without bending your legs, begin to curl down, trying to reach your hips with your elbows.
Rolling the roller – can be done either with a gymnastic roller or with a barbell with a pair of discs. The main thing here is a comfortable position. Smoothly lower your stomach down, scrolling the roller forward until your body reaches a horizontal position. Start rolling the roller in the opposite direction and return to the starting position.
Knee raises while lying on an incline bench (reverse crunches) – We lie down on an inclined bench upside down. We grab the head of the bench with our hands, bend our legs at the knees and try to raise them to the level of the elbows, then smoothly lower them down. For added resistance, you can hold a dumbbell between your feet or use a carabiner leg mount on a cable machine.
Side plank – in the starting position we stand sideways, one palm or elbow on the floor, one leg lying on top of the other. Keep the body completely straight. Stay in this position for as long as you can. You need to feel the load in the rectus and oblique abdominal muscles. Don't arch your back throughout the entire approach.
"Climber" - The exercise can be performed with your hands on the floor, bench or fitness ball. Take a lying position, keeping your back completely straight. Raise your right knee, trying to reach your left elbow, put it back and do the same, only in reverse: pull your left knee towards your right elbow.
Hanging leg raises with extensions – hang on the horizontal bar, raise your straight legs to a level parallel to the floor, lock in this position. Now, instead of lowering them, move them apart so that they are shaped like a V. Then bring them together, keeping them parallel to the floor, and return to the starting position.
The best basic exercises for the abs
Believe it or not, many athletes with impressive abs do almost no isolation exercises. Compound exercises (those that work multiple muscle groups at once) require core strength and stability. With their help, you can build excellent abs, forgetting about dozens of sit-up approaches. However, we do not recommend completely abandoning isolated abdominal exercises.
Squats– exercise No. 1 for gaining mass and strength. Requires strong abs to maintain balance throughout the entire set.
Deadlift– unfortunately, an underrated exercise. The abdominal muscles work with the lower back according to the principle of synergists - this creates a powerful explosive force when lifting.
Overhead squats- an exercise that requires monstrous abdominal strength to perform correctly.
Standing barbell press– not as hard as overhead squats, but it works the abdominal muscles to maintain balance.
Triceps extensions– during this exercise, a strong static load is created on the abs, designed to stabilize the position of the torso.
Pullover from the top block– creates approximately the same load on the abs as triceps extensions.
"Mill with a weight" – perfectly works all the core muscles while bending.
Making abdominal strength training even more productive!
The basis for creating a powerful and well-developed press is the progression of loads. This means that the workouts should get harder and harder over time. The increase in intensity should be systematic. You should make small changes to the program every week. Over time, this will lead to serious changes.
Increasing intensity can be achieved in the following ways:
- Increase the number of repetitions. Try to beat your previous record every time. Try to do at least one more repetition. Over time, this will lead to impressive results. For example, if you can only complete 10 situps, try adding 1 more each week. – 2 reps. Over time, you will be able to do much more work.
- Reduce rest between sets. This is one of the best methods to increase intensity. If you initially rest two minutes between sets, try to reduce your rest time by 5 seconds each week or at least every two weeks. Your abdominal muscles will have to adapt to such hard work.
- Increase the number of approaches. Of course, you don't need to do a huge number of high-rep sets for your abs. Optimal range – 10 – 25 reps per set. This is not a strict rule, it all depends on your form and goals. Once you feel comfortable doing 25 reps, adding an extra set will increase the stress. Of course, you won’t be able to add approaches all the time. Overtraining your abs with an endless number of sets is not a good idea. This will not lead to progress.
- Add additional weight. Weights or resistance are needed to make the task more difficult. This method must be applied gradually. It greatly increases training stress, which increases muscle growth, strength and stiffness. You can use free weights (for example, doing sit-ups with a dumbbell or plate on your chest), weights (for example, doing hanging leg raises with weights on your ankles), or use a block machine (for example, using a special handle to secure your legs to do lying leg raises) .
- Increase time under load. Some abdominal exercises are performed in a static position (all types of planks). By increasing the time you perform an exercise, you make the workout harder. The response of the abdominal muscles will be appropriate.
- Slowly go through the negative phase of the movement. Slow negatives are a training principle for experienced athletes. The lift is performed at normal speed, the return to the starting position is done as slowly and under control as possible. Don't go overboard with this method. Like all other methods of increasing intensity, it must be used very carefully and systematically. You can increase the severity by timing the passage of the negative phase. Start with 3 – 4 seconds and gradually increase this time to 10.
Effective abdominal workouts in the gym
Conventionally, all training can be divided into three levels of difficulty:
- Workouts for those who have not trained their abs for a long time.
- Workouts for those who regularly train their abs, but do not see tangible progress.
- Training for experienced athletes, for real fans of heavy training with iron.
Don't forget about the progression of loads. Set a goal to improve your best by at least one repetition or by lifting a little more extra weight.
To get the most out of your ab workouts, follow these guidelines:
- Training frequency – 1– 3 times a week. Don't act on the "more is better" principle. Instead, focus on increasing the intensity while making sure to recover fully.
- Training volume– do not do additional approaches in the programs proposed below. If it's not hard enough for you, increase the load in other ways.
- Duration of training– during the period of gaining muscle mass, put work on the abs at the very end of the workout. After the main work on large muscle groups, it will be easier to concentrate on the abs. If you're not bulking up, you can train your abs whenever you want.
Level 1 Ab Workouts
Start your first workout with a small number of sets and repetitions. This also applies to planks. During the first few weeks, don't force things, go step by step. Gradually increase the number of repetitions. When you complete 20 repetitions, add a second set to the exercise. Add a second set of planks when you have completed 45 seconds.
When you can handle 2 sets of 20 repetitions, add a third. Same thing with the bar. Proceed to the second level of training when you manage to complete the planned number of repetitions in all approaches.
Level 1 – Training No. 1 |
||
Exercise |
Number of approaches |
Number of repetitions |
Knee raises while lying on an incline bench (reverse crunches) |
1– 3 |
20– 25 |
Plank |
1– 3 |
20– 60 seconds |
Level 1 – Training No. 2 |
||
Exercise |
Number of approaches |
Number of repetitions |
Sitaps |
1– 3 |
10– 25 |
Side plank (each side) |
1– 3 |
20– 60 seconds |
Level 1 – Training No. 3 |
||
Exercise |
Number of approaches |
Number of repetitions |
Standing crunches on a block machine |
1– 3 |
10– 25 |
Rolling roller |
1– 3 |
10– 25 |
Level 2 Ab Workouts
You've already developed a good amount of core strength at this point. At this point, you should begin to introduce some methods of increasing intensity into your training process, including resting less and doing additional sets. There is no set duration of rest. Keep working hard and don't rush to level 3 until you feel true abdominal strength and functionality.
Situps with extra weight– take an Olympic bar or dumbbell. Hold the apparatus on your lower chest. When you can comfortably handle 25 repetitions, increase the weight.
Plank– Focus on reducing rest time between sets. You can also perform the plank with other exercises in the form of a superset (exercises are performed one after another, without rest).
– if you can’t do 10 repetitions, do your maximum with leg raises to the sides, and then immediately switch to a regular leg (or knee) raise. This exercise can also be combined with another or use additional weights.
Incline Knee Raises (Reverse Crunches) with Additional Weight– additional weight can be added in the form of weights or by attaching a handle from a block exercise machine to the ankles. In any case, first check that everything is securely fastened.
Rolling roller– if this exercise has become too simple, concentrate more on the negative phase of the movement.
Level 2 – Training No. 1 |
||
Exercise |
Number of approaches |
Number of repetitions |
Situps with extra weight |
2– 5 |
10– 25 |
Plank |
2– 5 |
60– 120 seconds |
Hanging leg raises with extensions |
2– 5 |
10– 25 |
Level 2 – Training No. 2 |
||
Exercise |
Number of approaches |
Number of repetitions |
Knee raises while lying on an incline bench with additional weight |
2– 5 |
10– 25 |
Side plank |
2– 5 |
60– 120 seconds |
Rolling roller |
2– 5 |
10– 25 |
Level 3 Ab Workouts
At this stage of abdominal training, you should already have mastered all forms of load progression, since you cannot do without them in a truly productive workout.
Sit-ups with lifting- a very difficult exercise even for a pro. Don't try to do it with extra weight until you have perfected the technique.
« Walking plank– Instead of counting individual steps, count one “advance” forward as one repetition.
Body raises with additional weights or hanging leg raises with extensions– we do it in one superset. The use of slow negative techniques and limiting rest time is also encouraged.
Level 3 Training |
||
Exercise |
Number of approaches |
Number of repetitions |
Sit-ups with lifting |
3– 5 |
10– 25 |
"Walking" plank |
3– 5 |
60– 120 seconds |
Lifting the body with additional weights |
3– 5 |
10– 40 |
Hanging leg raises with extensions |
3– 5 |
10– 40 |
Proper nutrition and cardio training for sculpted abs
The physical work is already behind us, but all the difficulties are just emerging. We've had a good workout in the gym, all that's left is to lose excess fat and show off our six-pack.
A well-thought-out nutrition plan is the key to weight loss, so you can get lean without losing muscle mass. Cardio will also help in this matter. Both of these factors are important, but remember that cardio alone will not reduce your weight. A healthy diet with a little cardio will help burn fat. Without proper nutrition, this is a road to nowhere.
Fat Burning Diet
Burning fat is not just a matter of eating healthy. You can eat exclusively healthy foods, but still such a diet will be ineffective. Moreover, many common diets actually prevent you from creating truly sculpted abs. In 9 out of 10 cases, they are missing key elements for burning fat and maintaining muscle mass. When you eat exclusively healthy foods, this often works against you. You lose both fat and muscle. This way it is impossible to achieve good relief. You become lean, but most of what you've lost is muscle, so your fat percentage goes down slowly. The longer the diet, the more muscle you lose. It's unlikely that anything will work out with this approach.
Listed below are the basic principles of proper nutrition, which you cannot do without during the “drying” period:
- Meal frequency– it’s better to eat every 2.5-3 hours. Eating small, frequent meals not only makes dieting easier mentally, but also more effective for burning fat.
- Protein– Most diets do not provide enough protein. Protein is essential for muscle recovery and growth. Without a normal amount of protein, the body will have difficulty maintaining the level of muscle mass gained. Men should eat 30–35 grams of protein every 2.5–3 hours, women should eat about 20 grams.
- Fats– Consume enough healthy fats. The body needs fats for normal functioning! Remember: fats do not make you fatter! 20-35% of your daily calories should come from fat.
- Calories – By quickly losing weight, you will not get a balanced, athletic body and sculpted abs. If you are losing more than 1 kg per week, you are likely burning muscle along with fat. Count the number of calories you consume to monitor your weight loss process.
- Power training– do not switch to high-repetition training with light weights during “drying.” This is a common mistake. You need to train just as hard as you did when bulking.
- 25 tips for losing weight at home
- Carbohydrate rotation - diet and menu
- How to create a menu for “drying” the body? Step-by-step instruction
- The most effective diet - there may be several of them
- List of 40 Low Carb Foods
Sports nutrition for fat burning
Diet is a huge stress for the body. By cutting back on your calorie intake, you are limiting your intake of essential nutrients. Taking sports nutrition during “cutting” is even more important than during muscle gain. Take note of the following supplements:
- Vitamin-mineral complex– even ideally healthy nutrition does not cover the body’s needs for all vitamins. Strength training and cardio consume too many essential microelements. You need plenty of vitamins and minerals. A good vitamin and mineral complex will help solve this problem.
- Fish fat - Unsaturated fatty acids are essential for anyone who trains hard. Healthy fats are needed for overall health, vital functioning and brain activity. A study conducted by Danish scientists found that taking supplements containing healthy fats improves endurance, accelerates muscle growth and recovery, and also has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
- Pre-workout complex – This product gives you energy and allows you to train longer and more intensely. A pre-workout enhances the effectiveness of everything you do to burn fat.
- Fat burners – These supplements speed up the fat burning process, and there are a huge variety of them on the market now.
Many people who want to get a flat, toned and sculpted stomach are interested in the question of how to quickly pump up their abs and achieve the desired effect. Hard training without skipping, your desire and willpower, proper nutrition and drinking regimen will help you achieve quick results.
Today we will tell you how to correctly perform exercises for performance, photos and video reviews of pros who achieved the long-awaited abs.
First of all, a fit and slender body means health, a strong spine and then beautiful abs. You can carry out the training program both in the gym and at home. To do this you need a minimum of space and some available equipment.
Exercise your abdominal muscles up to 4 times a week, rest and don’t forget about proper nutrition. If there is a layer of more than 1.0-1.5 cm on your stomach, then we can disappoint you that in a short time without cardio exercise and diet you will not be able to achieve the desired results.
Workouts should last at least 60 minutes, where 15-20 of them are devoted to the abdominal muscles. By working out intensively for 7 days, you can achieve muscle tone and a toned stomach; after 2 weeks it will acquire ideal shape and bulge, and after a month of training, the long-awaited six-pack.
Exercise on an empty stomach; scientists have proven that fat is burned more intensely and muscles take on the desired shape. In the first half of the day, protein foods, in the second - fiber and healthy carbohydrates.
How to quickly pump up your abs
Everyone can achieve a pumped up belly with gorgeous six-pack abs, but not everyone knows how to do it quickly and efficiently. To do this effectively at home you will need:
- Willpower, desire, optimistic attitude towards results and motivation;
- Family support;
- Free time: no more than 1 hour, including 15-20 minutes for abs / 3-4 times a week;
- Stool 2 pcs. (strong, for hanging equipment)/floor/mat.
At first, you should not use weights, but when you still want to improve efficiency, you can use dumbbells (1.5-2 kg), if not, then water bottles or hand and leg devices made by yourself.
You don’t need to do a lot of repetitions in the first workout so that the next day and every other day everything hurts and you can’t continue.
At the initial stages, 3-4 approaches, increasing them with each workout. For people who have experience in physical activity, more approaches can be done in the initial stages (7-8).
Exercises should bring pleasure and pleasant sensations. It’s hard - be patient, it means you’re on the way to a beautiful body. For the long-awaited cubes, pay attention to each section of the abdominal cavity - upper, lower, oblique muscle fibers.
Determine 4 exercises for yourself that will have both static and dynamic approaches. Don't forget about cardio exercises if you need to remove fat deposits.
Warming up your muscles before exercise and stretching afterwards will help reduce the likelihood of injury and improve muscle elasticity.
Basic rules for successful training:
- Hungry stomach;
- Cardio training (30-40 minutes);
- Press (15-20 min.);
- Monitor your breathing;
- Warming up before classes;
- Stretching after them;
- Good music and mood.
We will tell you below how you can improve your torso and a list of the most effective ways to pump up your muscles.
Up to the cubes
Before you start improving your body, you need to adjust your diet and water consumption per day, it should be at least 2 liters. A protein or low-carbohydrate diet will promote rapid results.
To grow muscle mass, eat healthy carbohydrates after exercise. To the question of how to pump up six-pack abs in 7 days, we can answer that it’s possible if you’ve worked hard on it for at least 3 weeks before.
Many sources write that you need to train your abdominal muscles every day, but professional trainers say that the muscles need proper rest. Therefore, in pursuit of beauty, you should not harm the body.
How to pump up your abs in a short time:
- For beginners, a minimum of approaches and power load;
- Don't set a goal to get a six-pack in a week;
- A good mood is guaranteed with a high-quality approach to the lesson;
- Perform the first exercises no more than 4-5 times;
- Train all abdominal muscle groups.
Bodybuilder Tips:
- Successful exercise is a pleasant fatigue in the muscles and fighting spirit;
- You can and should drink water during training;
- It doesn’t matter where you play sports, the main thing is a great desire;
- Pump up all types of muscles;
- Take full rest;
- Exercise in the morning before eating;
- Warm up to prepare your muscles for intense exercise without injury;
- Don't miss classes;
- To properly work out all muscles, increase approaches according to your endurance and strength;
- Complicate the set of exercises every week by adding transverse muscles.
Workouts for cubes
- All types of crunches: reverse, straight legged, oblique;
- "Bike";
- "Book";
- Hanging on the Swedish wall;
- Pull-ups on a simulator (stool) (20 sec. * 3 sets);
- Plank straight/lateral/with leg raises (20 sec.*3 times).
At the beginning, these exercises can be performed in no more than 5 stages 10-15 times, increasing with each workout.
Beginners do not need to immediately and sharply strain their muscles; everything should be gradual and enjoyable. You can watch a video tutorial on how to do the exercises correctly.
How to pump up your abs in 7 days
The weekly training program contains a complex aimed at quick results; it will depend on high-quality implementation and adherence to the program.
“Hanging on a machine/stool/bar.” A highly effective exercise that is an order of magnitude superior to twisting, but it is difficult for a beginner to do without prior physical training.
Here you need to correctly focus your attention on lifting your legs and maintain the angle; if you have experience, you can make it more difficult with straight limbs. Pick up bent or straight, raising and lowering them slowly. So, do it to the best of your ability, 2-3 sets * 5-10 times at the initial stage is quite suitable.
"Bike". This exercise is familiar to many from school days; it can be complicated by adding oblique movements. Do 3-4 approaches * 10-15 times.
"Crunches with straight legs." In a lying position, lift your limbs without throwing them high. Do 3-4 repetitions * 10-15 times.
"Torso twists." All types of turns work well on both the lower and upper abs. From a lying position, sit down, then lie down again. Do 3-4 approaches * 15 times.
"Book". This high-amplitude exercise, in which the upper and lower parts of the body are quickly folded, will help eliminate fat from the waist and tone the muscles. Build up, choosing your own fast rhythm for 3 sets * 10-15 times.
"Diagonal twists." The lateral muscles are well worked out. The exercise is done lying down with legs bent. Place your hands behind your neck, lifting your torso, turn alternately, first to the left 10 times, then to the right 10 times. Do 3-4 sets for a beginner. Do the exercise as quickly as possible.
"Schwarzenegger Vacuum" As you exhale, pull in your stomach to the limit of your capabilities so that it “sticks” to the vertebra. At the same time, do not forget to breathe. Do 1-2 times, holding for as long as possible, ideally 20 seconds.
It is quite possible to pump up your abs in a week, tighten flabby muscles, improve your torso and abdominal muscles. By motivating yourself to achieve results, you can achieve beautiful relief, success with the opposite sex and high self-esteem.
An article about how to quickly pump up abs (both at home and in the gym) for a man/woman.
Before we begin to study sets of exercises for pumping up the abdominal muscles, I suggest you learn the organs of the abdominal muscles (anatomy). Heh, often what most people refer to as having developed, beautiful abs is called the rectus abdominis muscle. In addition to the rectus muscle, there are also external and internal oblique abdominal muscles.
We are only interested in the external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles, because... It is these two muscles that are visible visually. As for the internal oblique muscles, we will not touch them, because they are not visible, i.e. they are located under the external oblique muscles.
The rectus abdominis muscle is what people call the abs. What is she like?
Essentially, it is a flat and long muscle that is divided into two parts (halves) - left and right (by a vertical line of tendons). This line (bundle of tendons), 1.5 to 2 cm wide, starts from the pubic bone at the bottom and stretches along the abdomen to the very top of the sternum.
So, in fact, thanks to this vertical line (bundle of tendons) and several horizontal lines, we see those same cubes (abs) on our stomach.
Why am I writing all this?
You must understand that understanding such things will greatly simplify your life in the form of pumping up your abs.
People often divide the abs into lower and upper, this is actually not entirely correct...
Because the abs cannot work in parts (bottom or top), it always works only as a whole, which is why it is actually called the rectus abdominis muscle. Do you understand?))
It’s just that most often the “lower” abs always lag behind the upper ones, and because of this people divide them into top and bottom, but now everything is clear, I hope? There is no such thing as up and down, there is only the rectus abdominis muscle.
But the lower part lags behind due to the fact that:
- In fact, there is nothing even to train there. Because The rectus abdominis muscle (our abs) is thick only from the navel and above (at the waist), but below the navel, where the pubic bone is attached, this muscle is very thin (because it is formed by connective tissue), this is one of the reasons why the bottom of the press lags behind the top.
- You already know that the top of the abs is thicker and stronger than the bottom, and because the top is thicker and stronger, it takes up most of the work of twisting and supporting the core, i.e. the upper part of the rectus muscle (press) is more adapted to physical work.
What do you learn from all this? Let's summarize:
- Any exercise on the rectus abdominis muscle (our abs) is used entirely; there is no such thing as pumping up or down.
- The lower part of the abs is more difficult to develop than the upper part.
Why are the abs not visible? What do you need to do to see it?
In order to see the abs, you need:
- reduce the amount of fat on your body
- increase the size of the rectus abdominis muscle (abs) (train the abs)
Those. The abs are not visible due to two reasons:
- Either the rectus abdominis muscle is small (it is not there) because The size is small (you have never downloaded it).
- Or you have a large amount of fat (and it is not visible due to the subcutaneous layer, it is hidden under a fur coat).
Goal (if you intend to see abs):
- Increase the size of the rectus abdominis muscle (abs)
- Reduce the fat content (remove the fur coat) in order to see it.
How to reduce fat content? Take off your fur coat? To see the abs?
Well, in order to increase the size of the rectus abdominis muscle (abs), you will need training that includes many sub-points, ala selection of the right exercises that are most effective, etc.
The rectus muscle is a fairly small muscle group (it is the only one - the rectus abdominis muscle).
It also performs a simple function: it twists the pelvis to the body or the body to the pelvis (the legs work from the bottom of the body to the top and the pelvis works from the top of the body to the bottom). In essence, a huge number of exercises use this function.
But we need to choose only those exercises that concentrate as much as possible on one of these functions.
Based on these functions, we can distinguish two of the most basic and most effective exercises for the rectus abdominis muscle (abs):
- Lying crunches
- Reverse crunches
Lying crunches are performed on the floor either on a Roman chair or on an inclined board.
This is one of the most effective exercises for the abdominal muscles, you simply curl your upper body towards your lower body.
Reverse twisting is the 2nd function (you twist the lower body (pelvis) in relation to the upper body, the legs work: hips). That's why people call this exercise for the "lower" abs.
That's all. Read more about all abdominal exercises
Even in Ancient Greece and Rome, a sculpted torso was considered a sign of a man’s health and physical endurance. Flawless 6-pack abs adorned statues of the powerful gods of Olympus and other mythological heroes. Modern beauty standards have not undergone major changes, so millions of men strive by any means to get in shape and pump up perfect abs.
The muscles surrounding the abdominal cavity are involved in the formation of posture, support the spine and protect organs from mechanical damage. The side walls consist of the oblique abdominal muscles and the transverse muscle, which is located horizontally, going around the waist. The rectus abdominis muscle is responsible for tilting the torso forward and moving the ribs down, and also raises the pelvis with a fixed body.
Abdominal muscles.
Three or four transverse tendon bridges interrupt the muscle fibers, forming “cubes” on the body. A person may naturally lack a lower abs, in which case there will be not 8 abs, but only 6.
It will not be possible to achieve the desired result in 1 day or in a week; it all depends on the type of figure, the degree of neglect of the abdominal muscles, the presence of motivation and willpower. Six-pack abs appear in 30 days only in thin men. As for overweight people, even “trained” muscles are not visually visible behind a layer of fat; it is losing weight that contributes to the rapid formation of strong relief on the abdomen. Low intensity of abdominal pumping (1-2 sessions per week) or working the muscles to the point of wear and tear removes a man from his cherished goal for at least a month.
You don’t have to go to the gym to get six-pack abs; a man can strengthen his core muscles at home. The main thing is to be systematic, not to rush, and to carefully consider the lesson program.
Basic exercises for abdominal development:
- Twisting. Performed while lying on your back. Slightly bend your knees without lifting your feet off the floor. The palms are located on the back of the head; if a man has recently been pumping his abs, then it is better to place his hands along the body. Raise your shoulders and torso, trying to reach your right shoulder with your left knee. After a couple of seconds we return to the starting position. We do from 12 to 30 times in one direction, then in the other. In 10 days, you can tighten your stomach with crunches, but to pump up 6, 8 or 10 abs, it will take from 1 to 3 months.
- Pulling the body towards the legs. Thanks to the exercise, the rectus abdominis muscle is pumped as effectively as possible. Lie on your back, raise your legs straight at an angle of 90° and touch your feet with your hands. Then bend your legs, return your shoulder blades and arms to the starting position, and once again reach your feet with your hands. Repeat the task 20 times, remembering to alternate legs.
- Exercise “Bicycle”. Allows you to quickly pump up your lower abs. We train the muscles with our palms clasped at the back of our heads, lying on the floor. We begin to “pedal” at a slow pace, raising the right elbow towards the left knee and vice versa. As you inhale, take the starting position. We load the press from 10 to 15 times in 3-4 approaches.
- Overhead press. The exercise is performed in a sitting position. Bend your knees, holding the dumbbells at shoulder level. Raise your legs at a right angle. Leaning back, we raise our arms above our heads while straightening our knees. After 3 seconds, return to the starting position. To pump up your abs to six-pack abs, 15 repetitions every other day will be enough.
The plank is the most effective exercise for the abs.
Before puberty, boys' muscles are not as strong as those of boys or adult men. They contain a lot of water, little protein and fat, so training at the age of 6-9 years with weights is not recommended. For starters, pull-ups on the horizontal bar, squats and classic push-ups are suitable.
To enhance the effect of drawing six-pack abs, it is best to do the exercises in the morning, on an empty stomach. After waking up, muscle cells contain a lot of glycogen, so the male body is forced to convert subcutaneous fat into a source of energy. Before pumping up the lower and upper abdominal muscles, experienced trainers advise rubbing pre-prepared ice cubes into them. Then we pump up the abs, wait 20 minutes and have a hearty breakfast.
Sports nutrition
Many men, wanting to quickly pump up their six-pack abs, go on a strict diet. This approach to building muscle leads to the opposite result: the body accumulates excess calories and hides the abs deep under fat.
The diet for men training abdominal muscles should include:
- Liquid (at least 2–3 liters of still water per day).
- Lean meats and fish.
- Fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Dairy products.
- Porridge with water, oatmeal.
- Eggs (boiled).
When building six-pack abs, the daily menu should consist of 1/3 proteins and 2/3 complex carbohydrates. It is advisable that the amount of fat entering the body does not exceed 20% of calories taken. Give preference to steamed and boiled food. While pumping up your abdominal muscles, eliminate alcohol, fried foods, white bread, baked goods and honey from your life.
The correct frequency of sports nutrition, namely 5-6 times a day, will eventually relieve a man of metabolic problems and bring him closer to ideally pumped up six-pack abs. A single serving should not exceed 200–250 g of food. A diet to pump up your abs involves drinking protein shakes. The protein mixture can be prepared at home by whipping a glass of yogurt or kefir with egg powder (60 g), adding honey and nuts to taste. The drink helps men of normal weight to “dry” their body within a month without losing muscle mass.
Something went wrong
In 99% of cases, problems with the abdominal press are caused by uneven development of the skeleton. If the ribs are not symmetrical in shape and location, then the cubes will be uneven. Also, the curvature of the press can be associated with the structural features of the abdominal muscles and tendon bridges, when the cubes are located at an angle. Birth defects take a long time to correct or cannot be corrected at all.
The correct shape of the abs can be achieved through the following exercises:
- Lie on the floor, place your arms along your body. Raise your legs up, then return to the starting position. The pace of training should be slow, breathing should be deep. In 2-3 sets of 10 exercises, the lower abdominal muscles are strengthened.
- Lying on your back, clasp your hands at the back of your head and bend your legs. Raise your upper body, trying to touch your elbows to your knees. Do 10–12 repetitions, gradually increasing their number to 30–40. To correct crooked abs without risking stretched muscle tissue, complete the task every other day.
If you have an asymmetrical cube shape, it is forbidden to do exercises with distortions in any direction. The training program is aimed at straightening your posture and strengthening your back muscles. Control your body position at the table and when walking, keep your neck straight, do not slouch.
A perfectly painted grid of cubes on the stomach gives a man confidence in his strength and attractiveness. Proper nutrition in combination with physical exercise will allow you to achieve beautiful, sculpted abs in a short time. Good luck!