7 Tips to get better Abs
"Alright, that' is! This year, I'm going to have amazing abs by summer!"
Does this statement sound familiar to you? You might have even written it down in your goals/resolutions for the year, right? One thing is certain, if you want to achieve it, you're going to need a plan. Or start with some good advice before diving into the battle for ripped , well-defined or simply just better abs.
You're in luck!
There's no "500 crunches a day" here, because that's painful, dull and boring. Instead, we'll focus on 7 expert tips for getting better abs, from varying your workouts to adjusting your diet accordingly.
#1. There's more to life than crunches for better Abs
Sure, crunches target your abs, no doubt about it.
However if you're new to working out, muscles adapt quickly to the exercises you do. As a result, adaptation prevents growth and you begin to hit a plateau. That's why you need to add variety to your workouts keep your muscles alert and on their toes to get better abs!
Try new routines, include different exercises in your workouts. But also change every 4 to 6 weeks if you still want to stick to the same exercises for a while.
*Editor's note.
Do you want to work your deep abs to bring strength and stability to your core? Discover Compex electrostimulation, a process that will deeply engage your muscle fibers and amplify the effects of your workouts. Whether it's with our muscle stimulator models (FIT range) or with our COREBELT stimulation belts that also target your lower back and ensure a great ab workout.
#2. Prioritise rest
You need consistency in your workouts for better abs. However, doing more is not synonymous with better results. Like all the muscles in your body, your abs need rest to ensure their growth and development. Therefore, working your abs every day is almost counterproductive. You risk injury and also seeing your results decline.
Not really what you're looking for, right? Aim for a maximum of 3 to 4 sessions per week for optimal results in your pursuit of better abs.
#3. Burn more calories for better Abs
If you want visible abs, just working them out won't be the only solution. An ab workout isn't very calorie-intensive. However, to make the thin layer of fat covering your abs disappear, you need to burn more calories than you consume: that's called a calorie deficit (we'll talk about diet later). So, increasing your cardio is an effective solution for visible abs. HIIT, running, circuit training… the options are numerous. Make sure to do 30 minutes of cardio at a good intensity 4 to 5 times a week for maximum effectiveness!
#4. Multi-Joint exercises for better Abs
It's important to focus on the functional side of your core muscles in addition to the aesthetics if we're talking about getting better abs. Diversify your workouts and ensure you're effectively working your abs in all circumstances by including multi-joint exercises such as squats, lunges, deadlifts, etc.
When you do these exercises, focus on your core and how you voluntarily contract it. These exercises may give you the impression of working your abs less than crunches or planks, but they have an equally beneficial effect on your core.
#5. Your diet
Your diet is one of the most important (if not THE most important) pillars to succeed in achieving your goal of getting better abs. The most important principles to respect are:
- Quantity: aim for a calorie deficit.
- Quality of products: avoid all the added stuff in processed food and prioritise fresh foods.
Don't hesitate to seek professional help to guarantee your long-term results. The key is to adopt a healthy diet that you can stick to in the long run. A diet that frustrates you after 2 weeks is the best way to fall back into harmful habits and gradually set aside your healthy habits. And remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. Results won't be visible right away, but your perseverance will be rewarded.
#6. Establish a good routine
There's nothing worse than saying "I don't have time."
To avoid finding yourself in bed at 10 p.m. thinking "darn, I didn't do abs today", you'll need to establish a champion routine so that your better abs goal doesn't come after everything else. Whether you're a night owl or a morning person, whether you have 5 minutes or 1 hour, you'll need to precisely schedule your workout into your daily routine. Once it's integrated, you'll have no more excuses. So set an alert in your calendar or on your phone, and stick to it! Do not rely on motivation alone.
#7. Sleep your way to better abs
It's said that recovery is one of the most vital pillars of performance and at Compex we couldn't agree more.
If you want to achieve your results, you'll need to pay attention to your sleep as it's the number one weapon for optimal recovery.
Studies have also shown that people who sleep little or poorly are more likely to overeat or easily fall into junk food. Other studies have shown that good sleep affects your stress level, which is a factor in weight gain. We'll let you do the math… but first, get some good sleep!
Proven Effectiveness
Backed by clinical studies proving their effectiveness, Compex stimulators also belong to the category of Class II medical devices. They also meet the needs of the European Medical Standard 93/42 EEC.
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