Six Pack Myths

Many men – and some women – covet the famed “six pack abs” advertised on television fitness shows and websites. There are also advertisements for various packaged supplements and meals, or exercise machines – everything from crunch machines to Swiss balls. But how much really works? And what are some of the myths about six-pack abs?

Myth Number One
The first big myth is that one can obtain sleek abdominals virtually overnight. Muscle takes time to build, no matter how hard one works. In reality, developing enviable abdominals is a function of exercise, diet and rest. Indeed, alternating workouts between cardiovascular and weight-bearing activities results in greater benefits as compared with focusing solely upon daily weight-bearing exercise. Thus it is wise to plan workouts to maximize results, while bearing in mind the rest periods so crucial to any body sculpting regimen. Exercising the muscles at different angles, with and without weights, using stability balls or Bosu balls to work the core and alternating with a day of rest is truly a winning combination.

Myth Number Two
Another common myth is that abdominal exercises alone are sufficient to reshape the abdominal muscles. In reality, muscle is muscle, and one cannot turn fat into muscle. The only effective way to sculpt this area is through a combination of aerobic exercise to reduce the layers of fat and abdominal exercise to sculpt the underlying musculature.

Myth Number Three
Ever heard this myth – sit-ups are all you need? Not true! Actually, full sit-ups do not work your abdominals as effectively as crunches. Once you have raised your upper body past a certain point, tension is moved to the hip flexor muscles. Amongst a variety of effective abdominal exercises is a compound exercise whereby one crunches to the left side, then to the center, then to the left—this counts as one repetition. Perform the exercise at a controlled pace and results will appear- if you also control your food intake and enhance your aerobic workouts.

The Most Dangerous Myth
And finally, perhaps the worst myth of all is that barbell twists will trim your oblique muscles. In reality, such a practice is far more likely to give rise to a back injury. It should be recalled that the barbells pull straight down by virtue of gravity, and trying to twist at an angle is an unfortunate prescription for pain. Even one incorrect twist may cause back strain. Rather, use angled crunches or a stability ball to effectively exercise the oblique muscles.

Quash the myths and start being realistic. Here is “6 Pack Quest”, a program that guides you every step of the way.

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