Looking for the best abs exercise? Tired of doing lots of sit-ups and crunches and not seeing the well-toned abs you want? It might surprise you to know that sit-ups and crunches will not give you the tight abs you're looking for. In fact, the best exercise for abs has nothing to do with sit-ups or crunches. If you are trying to get well-toned abs you have to take a holistic approach that accounts for your entire body. The bottom line is that you cannot lose fat or tone only one part of your body. Spot toning does not work. If you are trying to get well-toned abs you have to tone your entire body. Lose body fat from your entire body and replace it with muscle and you will soon begin seeing the definition in your abs that you want. So, although it may sound counter-intuitive, the question to ask yourself if you are trying to find the best abs exercise is what is the best way for me to lose fat from my entire body?
One important thing to keep in mind is that you not only want to lose fat. You want to replace the fat with muscle. The more muscle you have the more fat and calories you burn. Strength training is very good for improving bone density and muscle mass. In addition to adding muscle to your body, some experts suggest that strength training can make your body younger by as much as 20 years. It can also give your immune system a significant boost thereby making you more resistant to common infections. When you combine strength training with stretching and aerobic exercise you reap maximum benefits. Do stretching every day and do aerobic exercise and strength training every other day. This combination is the basis of the formula for the best abs exercise.
You should do aerobic exercise such as walking or jogging for about 20 minutes or more continuously. You should move at a comfortable pace so that you can talk if you want without too much difficulty. When doing weight training either at the gym or at home, try not to overdo it especially if your body is not used to strength training. It is very easy to injure yourself from using weights improperly. Stretching everyday should be an integral part of your exercise routine. In addition to helping to prevent injuries, stretching helps lymph to flow through your body and lubricates your joints. Good stretching exercises include yoga, tai chi, and pilates. You don't have to do all of these. One form of stretching exercise should be fine. You can even make up your own. You'll know a good stretch when you feel it.
A Good Exercise Routine for Raising Your Metabolism
- Do 25 jumping jacks as fast as you can.
- Do 20 skiing lunges. Take a big step forward with one leg and then bend until your thigh is almost parallel to the floor. Never bend so far that your knee extends further than your foot. Alternate with the other leg. You should be swinging your arms while you lunge as if walking fast. Rest for a few seconds. Repeat 3 times starting again with jumping jacks.
