Even with near-daily exercise and healthy diets, many people struggle to lose weight around their midsections or get the flat, toned abdominal muscles that they want. It's admittedly a challenge to get and maintain tight stomach muscles, as it requires a lot more than just a few dozen crunches. Following a comprehensive workout plan that includes cardio, strength training and stretching, as the Cleveland Clinic recommends, can help.
Benefits
Working to get flatter, tighter abs is a worthwhile goal. Abs and core workout plans build endurance and flexibility and improve balance, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Clinic also notes that people with large waistlines suffer an increased risk of serious health conditions, including stroke, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Reducing your waist size and strengthening your ab muscles can help lower those risks as well as make you look and feel better.
Cardio
The Mayo Clinic states that the best way to lose belly fat and streamline the midsection is through moderately intense, daily aerobic exercise. People who are just starting out or want to exercise without joining a gym may like to try jogging, calisthenics, workout DVDs, fitness classes or team sports. Vigorous exercises burn more calories and are likely to tone abs faster, but it's fine to start with mild workouts and gradually build up intensity over time.
Core
Core and strength exercises, including push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, resistance training and weight-bearing movements, are effective at building muscle mass and strengthening abdominal muscles. CNN suggests choosing exercises that challenge more than one core muscle group for the best overall workouts. Try the plank, abdominal bridges, crunch variations or the quadruped, and be sure to practice core exercises at least a couple of times per week.
Stretching
Stretching may not seem like an important part of an abs workout plan, but it enhances routines and has a number of notable benefits. First, it improves flexibility, which can help the body accomplish core exercises more successfully. Since most stretches originate from the core body, stretching also prepares abdominal and deep core muscles for intense workouts, which protects against injury.
Weight Loss
If your goal is to lose weight around your stomach area or throughout your body, make time to stick to a consistent abs workout plan and monitor its results over time. Also, keep in mind that even though exercise is one of the most integral parts of an effective weight loss plan, healthy eating is also important and will help take off weight faster.
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