Where To Start With Abs For Women

Large numbers of women long to achieve a firm flat abdominal area, but have very little idea where to start. The subject of abs for women is different from that for men, because women’s muscles work differently, and they burn fat differently. So women need a plan for abs training which works specifically for them.

One of the first points that women in particular need to be aware of is that although exercise is important, by itself it will not result in flat abs. The abdominal muscles in women have a lot of fat on top of them, so until this fat is got rid of, the abs will not be visible however much they are exercised. Abs training has to be a balance of cardio and resistance exercise with the correct diet.

Although diet is an essential part of abs training, this does not mean one of those crash diets that makes people feel weak and miserable. This is the opposite of what is needed, as it weakens muscles instead of strengthening them. The diet required is one that avoids sugary, fatty and processed foods, and includes wholegrains, wholefoods and plenty of fruit and vegetables, combined with the right levels of protein to build the muscles.

The diet should proceed at the same time as the exercise program. For those just starting abs training, it is important to train the lower abs first – remember that the abdominal muscles stretch from the pubic bone right up to the ribs. The lower abs are weaker and less developed, so if the upper abs are trained first, the lower abs will not have the strength to perform as they should. The best resistance exercises for the lower abs are ones that use the legs, such as the reverse crunch. Along with these will go high intensity cardio, like sprinting or aerobics, to boost metabolism and burn fat.

It is important to remember that abs training should also be fun. Those who get bored with their program will not stick to it, and the body gets used to it too. The motto is, the greater the fun, the greater the fitness – and the flatter the abs.