Answers (11)
1
A healthy diet is pretty much it. You won't have a "lean and toned" look if a layer of fat is covering it.
1
1st, an exercise in dietary discipline! then, Squats, squats, squats. Oh, and overhead squats... what can't they do?
0
Flat, toned mid-section. Not necessarily 6-pack abs but just well toned abs. Does that help?
0
Hi Magali,
"Toned" is one of those terms that is used a lot, but I honestly have to dig deeper when someone asks me about how to achieve it because its such a vague term. What I find is that many people are searching for a way to spot-reduce a specific area of their body.
By "flat, toned mid-section" do you mean that you have excess belly fat that you'd like to lose? Or have you recently had a baby and need to recondition abdominal muscles?
"Toned" is one of those terms that is used a lot, but I honestly have to dig deeper when someone asks me about how to achieve it because its such a vague term. What I find is that many people are searching for a way to spot-reduce a specific area of their body.
By "flat, toned mid-section" do you mean that you have excess belly fat that you'd like to lose? Or have you recently had a baby and need to recondition abdominal muscles?
0
The abdominal region can only "tone" so much. You can do abdominal exercises all day, however the desired effect will not be reached until you lock in your nutrition. A well balanced diet will help provide the tone look you desire. Everyone has abs, they are usually just hidden under a layer of subcutaneous fat!
0
THe best exercise / habit is to STOP EATING and concentrate on healthy low fat choices...All the exercises are then great to tone the muscles of the abdominal regions
0
Considering that you do have a healthy diet and that you are including intelligent cardio (love that Joy!) into your workouts, I would suggest incorporating weights along with your abdominal exercises.
I have found that by adding weights to your exercises, you tax your muscles with more emphasis and speed up your results plus it is less boring.
Less boring because you get to use a variety of different equipment such as dumbbells, weight plates, medicine balls, barbells, etc.....
I would include weighted saxon bends, bicycle crunches, and russian twists.
I personally follow up with the best abdominal strength exercises (in my opinion)
the forward and side plank.
I have found that by adding weights to your exercises, you tax your muscles with more emphasis and speed up your results plus it is less boring.
Less boring because you get to use a variety of different equipment such as dumbbells, weight plates, medicine balls, barbells, etc.....
I would include weighted saxon bends, bicycle crunches, and russian twists.
I personally follow up with the best abdominal strength exercises (in my opinion)
the forward and side plank.
0
I just heard this saying over the weekend: you can't get a six pack on a kegger diet.
So, you'll never see your strong abs if you have a layer of fat on top of it. Cut the carbs. :)
So, you'll never see your strong abs if you have a layer of fat on top of it. Cut the carbs. :)
0
If you subscribe to the notion that we all have similar abdominal musculature underneath, and the real issue is how much body fat covers them, then I say that the best "exercise" for this goal is aerobic exercise. While I TOTALLY agree that diet is extremely important to this goal as well, I don't consider diet an exercise so am not including that in my answer. That being said, the two-headed monster of aerobic exercise and diet will help those abs that you already have shine through.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
0
Hi Magali,
No matter what your strategy, clean eating and intelligent cardio need to be in place. They are key ingredients to the overall "look". You can do all the ab work in the world and have the strongest core....but, if you have poor body composition (bodyfat), one cannot see the muscle. Diet really is THE key point; coinciding with smart cardio, good bodywork, and an overall "fitting" exercise plan.
So start with a balanced nutrition plan (including cals in/cals out formula) along with smart cardio.....and please don't forget (or instruct clients) to stand tall while doing it all (posture adds to a good lookin' physique and overall self-esteem); then let those abs shine on through. Work them and let them work for you!
In wellness, Joy
No matter what your strategy, clean eating and intelligent cardio need to be in place. They are key ingredients to the overall "look". You can do all the ab work in the world and have the strongest core....but, if you have poor body composition (bodyfat), one cannot see the muscle. Diet really is THE key point; coinciding with smart cardio, good bodywork, and an overall "fitting" exercise plan.
So start with a balanced nutrition plan (including cals in/cals out formula) along with smart cardio.....and please don't forget (or instruct clients) to stand tall while doing it all (posture adds to a good lookin' physique and overall self-esteem); then let those abs shine on through. Work them and let them work for you!
In wellness, Joy
