Abs: Part 1

Is anyone satisfied with their abs? ...most people aren't. Your abdominals, or abs, are a focus of a lot of attention. Toned abs don't just help you look good, they're also very important in your overall health and strength.

• Carrying a lot of weight at your middle is a proven heart health risk.
  

• Abs are a visual focus for a lot of people: If your pants are too tight, you don't want to wear a certain type of dress, bathing suit or take your shirt off.

The good news is that while your abs are the first place you gain weight, they are also the first place most people lose it.

Flat abs, or ab definition, is effected by exercise, how much you eat and what you eat.
We measure our training clients' abdominals at three location to track progress.

Weight loss and overall muscle toning are expedited with conditioning.

Here are some familiar and not-so-familiar ab exercises:

• Ankle reach with legs up in the air or resting on a stability ball.

• Medicine ball roll & toss.

• Crunches on a decline bench (pictured). Add weight with a medicine ball or weight plate.

Other exercises also strengthen your core and abs: squats, triceps pushdown, lat pulldown, bicep bar curl.