If you’re like most people, when you enter the gym, one of the top goals that you strive to reach is getting that coveted set of six-pack abs. Or perhaps you think you’d just be happy if you could get a set of flat abs and not have to worry about pesky love handles.
Whatever the case may be, if you want to move forward in your quest to getting flat abs, there are some important workout and nutrition traits you must possess.
This goal isn’t easy to achieve but with the right approach, it’s definitely possible.
Here’s what to know:
Cycle your carbohydrates
First, you’ll be hard pressed to get really lean abs if you aren’t using some form of lower carb diet.
Unless you’ve been blessed with a lightning-fast metabolism, you just won’t burn up enough body fat to reach low levels taking in 200-plus grams of carbs per day.
That said, if you lower them too far, your workouts will suffer and that can hinder progress as well. So what are you to do?
For best results, cycle your carbs. Have them higher on workout days and lower on non-workout days. This will also help you maintain a faster metabolic rate as well, which can further prompt more total body fat loss.
Perform compound movements
Next, make sure that the vast majority of your training sessions are focusing around compound exercises.
Squats, deadlifts, lunge, bench press, bent-over rows, shoulder presses and so on are the key moves that you’ll want to be doing to ensure you burn sufficient calories both during and after the workout is finished.
Since getting flat abs is more about getting lean than it is actually developing large core muscles, this is the focus of your workout.
That said, you’ll get double benefits in this regard because these moves also cause your abs to contract to stay balanced, therefore you’ll engage the core muscles as well.
Keep your workouts intense
It’s also a must that you keep your workouts as intense as possible.
This is what will best help you maintain a higher metabolic rate in the 48 hours that follow the workout session, allowing you to burn fat faster all day long.
Keep them intense by making sure you lift a heavy enough level of weight and by keeping your total rest period shorter as well.
Watch liquid calories
Finally, be sure that you are watching how many liquid calories you are consuming.
Most people will not register liquid calories like they do solid ones, so these may sneak in, taking you away from your fat-burning goals.
Do your best to eat your calories, not drink them.
If you keep these quick tips in mind and make sure to incorporate them into your workout program, you can feel confident you’re on the road to success.
Cabel McElderry is a local personal trainer and nutrition coach. For more information on fitness and nutrition, visit the Fitness F/X website at www.fitnessfx.com.