Situps/Crunches

[ponders]

run forrest run !!!

its the only way, cardio will give you a six pack even if you dont include any sit ups. Technique accounts for a lot of the build and so the shape of the muscle group but definatly theres no point running if you dont have a couple of cakes for breakfast and Micky D in bed, you know!!
Well, diet is important, but as excercise released Endorphins the same release must be felt ON OCCATION from the stomach.

Cycling very hard on the stomach and back if you can keep you posture correctly, i usually have like a sara lee or pie waiting at home to motivate me.
mmmmm cake.....

[Livinit]

Climbing and Kayaking.

Who really wants to spend their life in the Gym when you could be out doing something far less boring and much more of a laugh to keep fit.

Not to mention, being able to scale a cliff face like spider man would be pretty awesome.

Climbing requires strength and agility all over the body, to do at a high level. However anyone can have a go and its so addictive. You will soon see your strength increase and your waiste line decrease as you get more and more into it.

Kayaking, as well as being a complete giggle, stimulates most of the major core muscles, as you are constantly moving and adjusting your torsoe whilst manouvring in the boat.

Both activites are good cardiovascular workouts as well. Which is what you need to burn the fat and let those abs show through.

[pollaxe]

As Taz said on the first page, you won't get a six-pack unless you lose body fat.. everyone has one, they're just not very well defined and hidden under the layer of fat which sits on your belly.. unfortunately, you can't spot train to remove body fat, it's got to be an all over approach to burn body fat in general..

Any good diet/exercise regime will help and if you're doing crunches and the like then you'll be helping the definition underneath anyway.. if you can find someone else to train with, that's always a good way of sticking to a programme.. good luck and stick to it, it's worth it

[ponders]

s29feb.
when you do sit ups then, do you keep your back straight, so when lifting the torso with the ab muscles the back is also tensed. or do you curl towards the knees after the 45-60 degree angle, dunno if this makes sense. what im asking is how you inparticular do them, i usually just keep my knees slightly tucked in, and pull with my abs but i tend not to keep the spines straight, i worry after and sometimes dont do them incas im doing them wrong. ive heard so many different ways of doing them!!

[Whiternoise]

how easy is all of this to do at home? (i'm looking for the same sort of thing, but i can't be arsed to go to the gym tbh, i don't mind swimming though)

[pollaxe]

Probably an ab-frame would be worth investing in.. you're likely to have better form and less likely to injure your back using one and they fold up and go under the bed easily when you're not using them.. tbh you don't need a lot of space to do a work out at home, if you've got stairs then you can do step-ups (a boring but very effective form of exercise) if you've got two low chairs you can do dips between them, you can jog on the spot, do press-ups and sit-ups without needing much room. You can get a stationary exercise bike, plonk it front of the tv and do a good 45 minute ride whilst watching Torchwood or Debbie Does Dallas on DVD if you prefer!

Really, it's the motivation behind it and trying to get into a regular routine that'll help most.. where there's a will there's a way and all that kind of thing..

[Whiternoise]

Yah, i do that with my bike - makes playing the DS a lot more fun

[phoenixmystic]

As a somewhat of a professional on these matters I would like to say that too many crunches will do more har than could and they can lead to a six pack although these muscularregion is not designed for significant hypertrophy.

In terms of fat loss weight based resistance training is far superrior to cardio vascular exercise despite not being many peoplescup of tea. This is because after the work out finishies a restance traingroutin has been proven to maintain a higher rate of calorie loss well after cardio effects have subsided. Adding exra muscle will also increase metabolism due to more enery required to fuel the muscles, I have been a bit vauge but I hope that helps.

[Whiternoise]

Hmm intriguing.. also means that running is off my list YAY

[luvr29]

With daily health news reporting the benefits of regular, safe exercise, most of us know we need to get up and start moving. Walking, jogging, racquetball, tennis, or even basketball with the kids are all great ways to burn calories and pump adrenalin.


But when is the best time to exercise? While it may vary from person to person depending on health conditions and daily schedules, there are some times that seem more conducive than others:



1. Up and at 'em. Some vigorous souls manage to jump up out of bed and start their day with a hearty bout of exercise. Running two miles or walking around the block, they're ready for a shower and work by 7 or 8 a.m. Our biological clocks suggest that early morning is a great time to exercise, since hormone levels peak near daylight and many of us wake up with high energy levels. In addition, if you plan to exercise outdoors, early sunlight provides the safest exposure to UV rays, since later in the day the peak sunlight times between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. can cause sun damage that may lead to melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, along with signs of aging and other detrimental effects.


2. Eat and run. Use your lunch break to get moving. Take a long indoor walk or a more intense outdoor jog. Visit the gym if it's located nearby, or simply stroll around the office with your pedometer counting steps toward your daily goal of 10,000. Not only will your stiff muscles and joints welcome a break from your job, whatever it is, but your exercise routine may cut into your lunch break to leave less time to eat, thus potentially keeping hundreds of calories from entering your body. Have a light yogurt, instant soup, or salad meal instead.


3. The five o'clock shadow. When quitting time comes, change into your workout gear and head out for a refreshing exercise break. Jump on your bike, hit a few balls (tennis or golf) with a buddy, or dive into the pool at the club where you have a membership. Physical activity makes a great change of pace after a long day of sitting or standing on the job or at school.


4. After dinner plans. Don't loll on the sofa after your last meal of the day. Get up and get going for a brisk walk or other activity. Share exercise with a spouse, a friend, or even a son or daughter to make it a special bonding as well as a fitness opportunity. Take turns doing what the other enjoys so long as it involves physical activity that increases your heart rate and perspiration.


5. Do it anytime. No matter what your work schedule may be, or how many days you work each week, or if you don't work at all, any exercise time is good as long as you do it at least 20 minutes, and preferably 30, for three or more times each week. You can work out Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon, and Thursday evening if that fits your schedule best.


Don't forget to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Be consistent and you will be rewarded by positive results in the form of lost pounds, health benefits, and an increased sense of well-being.

For more great info:
essortment.com/in/Health.Fitness/index.htm