Nothing says sexy louder than ripped, chiseled abs. The six-pack is probably the most sought-after result in any man’s journey to physical perfection. For better or worse, this fixation is the Holy Grail pursued all around the world over by the modern male. But this perfectly sculpted look has evaded many.
Drool-Worthy Six Pack Tips
It is not just about getting off the couch and hitting the gym. It is not about doing a million crunches and sit-ups.
To tone your midsection and getting rid of the beer belly, it is essential to follow the right strategies and have a good core workout regime.
So, whether you are new to physical fitness and have just caught the gym bug, or have worked out for years without success, here’s what you need to know about how to achieve the coveted six-pack.
1. Strengthening your core
We all know that core exercises are good for you, but many people don’t realize that their fitness regime often lacks the good core workouts essential for your abdominal muscles. You can bypass expensive gym memberships and work on your core with some simple equipment at home.
For a shredded sculpted look, you must work your rectus abdominis – the muscle that runs from just below our rib to the pubic bone, and all adjacent muscles including oblique, transverse abdominis, and the core. A good core workout will tone these muscles and help sculpt the washboard abs of your dreams.
2. Clean Eating
In addition to a good core workout, you must clean up your diet. It’s not just about counting calories. Not all calories are created equal and no amount of exercise can overcome the effects of a poor diet.
It is important to partake in a clean diet, cutting processed foods from your diet, replacing them with whole carbs like bran, quinoa, brown rice, fruit, and sweet potatoes.
Whole carbs give you the energy to fuel your exercise regime and help you burn more calories. Rich proteins like lean meats, eggs, fish, and nuts are essential to recover from workouts and build muscle.
Similarly, good fats like nut butter, avocado, and olive oil help boost your metabolism which in turn allows your body to absorb the nutrients it requires. Avoiding salt as much as possible also helps in eliminating water weight and bloating.
Make it standard practice to replace processed food with food that contains protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
3. Cut that Body Fat Percentage
For most men, fat usually tends to bulk up around the abdomen. Spot reducing fat only in targeted areas is not possible.
This means that in order to melt the layer of fat hiding your perfect six-pack, you must drop fat from your body overall. Use a BMI calculator for an approximation or get it tested professionally.
To burn fat you must include aerobic activities in your regime like HIIT, swimming, or any form of cardio in addition to a good core workout.
Muscles burn more calories and fat during aerobic activities. Good core exercises will tone and strengthen the muscles lying beneath the fat, burning more calories and fat and revealing the sculpted visage once the abdominal fat layer melts.
Use a BMI calculator to get an approximate idea or get a professional to do caliper testing to determine your body fat percentage.
Even though 18 to 24% is considered healthy, you should aim to anywhere under 13% body fat to reveal a six-pack.
4. Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate
This cannot be emphasized enough. If you are working out every day, you must drink enough water to avoid dehydration. Drinking plenty of water also helps to flush toxins from your body and minimizes bloating.
Bloating can conceal your six-pack. In addition to drinking the requisite eight glasses of water daily, you should strive to consume at least two glasses of water an hour before every workout and one glass about fifteen minutes after.
It is also important to sip water at regular intervals during your workout. Sodas and energy drinks contribute to bloating and should be avoided as much as possible. Water heals your body from the wear and tear that happens during workouts.
If your body can’t heal after a workout, it will be a hindrance to achieving perfect abs.
5. Consistency
Consistency is key. Once you have developed a routine it is essential that you stick to it. Rome wasn’t built in a day and abs worth having require dedication.
You must keep yourself motivated. Having a friend share your goals and keep you motivated to follow through is a good idea. Create an inspiration board or pictures on your phone to inspire you when you are demotivated.
Hold yourself accountable for your workout and diet. It will soon become a lifestyle choice and pave your way to the abs you dream of.
Wrap-Up
There you have it! These simple tips – that take willpower to follow – can help you get that six-pack at home!
