lkravitz@unm.edu
 

Strong abs will give you a strong back, not to mention a great look. To flatten those abs, you need a well-rounded fitness program that includes aerobics, weight training, a healthy low fat diet, and of course the right moves to work those abdominals effectively.

Exercise physiologist Len Kravitz helps sort out the fact versus fiction when it comes to the best way to work those abs.

Len & BK:
Now first of all Len, is there a certain order I should do these exercises in to get better results?

That is a fabulous question. A lot of videos say they have the best order, but if you really look at the research you know that the best order is a spontaneously changing order, so that you constantly shock the muscles in a different way and they will respond better.”

Using a chair, we’ll start with basic ab crunches for the middle abdominals, pressing the heels into the chair.

“So by pushing down on the chair, it actually is contracting the back of your leg. This contraction in the back of the leg actually inhibits or lessens the affect of the front of your thighs, so you know what has to do all the work? Your abdominal muscles.”

Quality, not quantity is the key. Work the muscles until they’re comfortably challenged. To work the inner and outer obliques or waist area…

Len:
“Lift and rotate… There, that’s the perfect form.”

Rumor has it you should exhale on the contraction. Len says—“not true”.

Len:
“But in this type of movement that you’re doing right now, normal breathing is preferred. It will actually give you more energy.”

For Fitness Magazine, I’m Bonnie Kaye.