Those abs sure are a tricky muscle group. Here are the top ab-training mistakes that you need to STOP making RIGHT NOW!
1. Only doing crunches: Yes, crunches work your abs; but honestly, they are probably the least effective abdominal workout out there. There are a ton of other options out there that will be more effective than the traditional crunch that we are all accustomed to.
2. Not doing compound movements: Most people focus only on isolation movements when training abs (ie, crunches). This is doing yourself a huge disservice. Compound movements like deadlifts and squats engage every muscle in your core and should be a staple in your workout routine.
3. Doing ab exercises before your workout: Save your ab workout for the END of your routine. Almost all weight-training movements require your core to act as a stabilizer. Fatiguing these muscles before weight lifting can result in injury.
4. Forgetting about your lower back: Most people are aware that there are different muscles involved in their abdominal area. But all too often, people forget that their lower back is a part of their body’s core and it needs to be trained. Your stomach and lower back work in conjunction with each other to stabilize your body and build strength.
5. Expecting a 6-pack without dieting: You are not going to outwork a bad diet. The only way to get visible abs is to lower you body fat down enough. This is not going to be done in the gym. This battle has to be fought in the kitchen! You can train all you want in the gym and perform every hard-core abdominal workout available and you still won’t see those 6-pack abs until your diet is on point.
6. Not paying attention to form: Abdominal exercises are about more than just flinging your upper body towards your legs. In order to properly work this area, you need to engage these muscles. Focus on your form and make sure that you are “pulling” your belly button in towards your spine. This will engage the muscle fibers in your stomach and make each movement more effective.
