Core/Stomach Toning

Grumbers
Grumbers Posts: 111 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi All

I've been losing for a couple months now and am down approx. 22-23lbs. So that's going great!!!

I do a decent amount of CV work and am eating well. I also do a fair bit of work on arms/pecs/legs/back.

However I never really seem to get round to focussing on my core/tummy area and am scared of becoming a thinner flabby person.

So, to work on my core/tummy area, what are the best exercises? Old fashion sit ups/planks? Or something more specialised/specific? What sort of reps? What sort of frequency?

Basically what's your core programme assuming I'm a complete beginner?

Cheers

Replies

  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    So are you doing proper lifting or machines? If you are doing squats/deadlifts/bent over row/etc (compound movements)
    your abs get worked with that.

    You can also try more advanced ab work like Palov Presses, Hanging leg raises, dragon flags.
    There are the standard planks and crunches. I'd avoid sit-ups though.

    As with many muscles progressive overload helps here.
  • jeffpettis
    jeffpettis Posts: 865 Member
    I throw in a couple of ab exercises at the end of almost every workout. Crunches, reverse crunches, planks, ab rollouts, hanging leg raises, etc. Take your pick. Train them just like any other muscle. Focus on progressing in some form from workout to workout or week to week.
  • Grumbers
    Grumbers Posts: 111 Member
    I'm doing some machine stuff currently, but my physical aim is to be "life fit", not particularly muscular. I run a bit, do a lot of cycling, it's all about being healthy and very mobile for me.

    Most of my resistance work currently comes through doing Metafit and such like. I really like the idea of simplistic exercises mostly just using my bodyweight.

    Cheers
  • Grumbers
    Grumbers Posts: 111 Member
    Thanks Jeff. Just research technique on all of these and all seems simple and relatively easily done. Nice one.
  • ZiezieO
    ZiezieO Posts: 228 Member
    You can run and do cardio until your heart gives out.
    Abs are made from a mix of cardio + strength + food.

    Eat the right things, strength train all over and make sure you're getting your heart rate up.

    People are afraid of "getting bulky" if they strength train. It takes a lot to get to an uncomfortable looking bulky. So that's not a very good excuse to not make it a priority. I've seen results due to strength training faster and with more pleasure than I have ever with just cardio.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    If your goal is to be life fit, proper lifting is part of that. I'm not sure if machines have the same effect on bone density and thickness of heart walls as weights. Best of luck =)

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