Maintaining a strong core helps to improve fitness in many ways. It benefits athlete’s overall performance, giving athletes a strong performance, more control of body movements as well as preventing injury and protecting your back.
For everyday purposes, having a strong core will improve posture, which will make you look and feel taller – making you feel like a million bucks!
To have that washboard stomach you’ve always dreamt of, here’s a few tips to help you on the way:
Eat Smaller, Regular Meals Throughout the Day:
Eating small portions, six times a day will help increase your metabolism and help you burn off unwanted excess fat. In order to get that ripped abdomen look, losing fat will help in achieving this. Say “NO” to sweets, chocolate and other foods full of sugar and carbohydrates. Fat burning foods such as oats, lean meats and nuts should be included in your meals during the day.
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Green Tea Helps in Fat Loss:
Foods which increase metabolism should be taken to burn fat. Research has shown caffeine and green tea are good ways to assist in fat loss. Try some green tea to help see that chiselled stomach! J
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Increase Your Cardio Workout:
Exercise such as running, cycling or swimming will increase metabolism and burn off fat quicker. Try to include 30-60 minutes of cardio 5 days a week to help promote fat loss from the abdomen region.
Rest is needed too!
Research has shown that doing sit ups and other abdominal exercises everyday might not be as beneficial as you might think. After exercise, the body needs to recover so that muscle fibres can grow. You will see more improvement by doing a core workout every second day.
Don’t just do Ab Curls!
Strengthening both the lower back and abdominals will get the best results. Including lower back strengthening will help to improve posture and prevent and injuries in the future.
Here’s an example of a Core Workout…
Ab Curl 15 reps x 3 sets
Oblique Curl 15 reps x 3 sets
Plank Hold for 45 seconds x 2 sets
Side Plank Hold for 30 seconds each side x 2 sets
Bicycle Crunches 15 reps x 2 sets
Leg Raises 15 reps x 2 sets
Back extents 15 reps x 3 sets
After some hard work and perseverance, you will resemble these two:
Follow these tips and you will be able to look in the mirror and say “WOW”. No more worries about not having that beach body, keep a routine of these tips and you’ll be confident in flaunting those abs!
Stefanie Beausang
Fitness Instructor
