I can’t tell you how many times I have heard clients say “I do crunches every day and I can’t get a six pack.” Well here is some good news: Your abs are a muscle group just like any other muscle group and the more you use it, the stronger it will be. Often, clients are not doing efficient exercises to target their abs. To some extent, our abdominals are engaged whenever we are in an upright posture because they help in holding our bodies erect. To maximize the amount of work your abs are doing, think about pulling your belly button through to your spine whenever you are standing up. Many times we think of this as “sucking it in.” If you find yourself doing that, instead try to think about engaging your abs as if you were getting ready to be punched in the stomach. Force yourself to practice this position as frequently as possible. Start by focusing on the position while you are exercising and then slowly expand the amount of time you spend in this position.
Be Healthy. Be Balanced.
-Alicia and Nikki