I have discussions about this very subject on a daily basis, one of my gym members (no names) recently was telling me i was wrong and that we need an Abs class because these classes and sit ups give you a flat tummy or six pack. If i had a pound for each time i have heard this i would'nt be living in Chester le Street in a 3 bedroom rented house.
Nearly everyone wants to get rid of the fat in a specific area of his or her
body. When clients tell me they want weight loss, in their minds they are really referring to that specific layer on the hips, thighs, belly or arms. This common feeling shared by people of all shapes and sizes has birthed an almost universal belief that fat can be removed from a problem area by exercising that specific area, for example abdominal work for a six pack....Nooo. Celebs still claim their flat stomachs come from hundreds of crunches, then they bring out an exercise video - the truth in that scenario is more often than not is they have paid for a Personal Trainer and have been getting beasted and nutritionally guided for months.
Unfortunately, the promise that you can lose fat on a specific “problem area”
by exercising that area is a myth. Also known as “spot training” or “spot reducing”, this myth continues to thrive despite the massive research, which disproves its claim. When we exercise certain areas of our body, such as doing crunches, we will strengthen our abs, but it will not remove fat from our belly.
Muscle and fat are made from different material and thus one cannot be turned into the other. Fat is stored on our bodies in a certain order that is determined by gender, genetics and blood flow. When you gain weight, it usually goes to your “problem area”, and when you lose weight, your “problem area” is usually the last area to lose the fat. Consequently, “spot reducing” just leads to newly developed muscles hidden under a layer of fat that just
won’t go away. However more muscles are always good as more muscle means more calories used at rest (metabolism).
The truth of the matter is the only way to lose fat in a specific area is to lose weight in general. In order to lose weight in general we must increase our exercise and in particular our lean muscle percentage which in return will reduce our fat percentage (start seeing our abdominlas). Exercise routines should incorporate the movement of large muscle groups for efficient calorie burning. As you develop and strengthen muscles, you also become leaner and increase your metabolism. Thankfully, as the weight slowly comes off, you’ll notice the fat on your “problem areas” start to disappear as well.
So sit ups and abdominals for a flat tummy? absolutely not, you would be better off doing weighted squats for a flat tummy.( when done properly all of your leg muscles, abdominals and lower back are working together)
Set up a free consultation to learn more how to physically and mentally develop yourself.
Glenn ( bored of talking about sit ups ) Hill