Washboard Abs

Washboard Abs! Did you have something else in mind?

Not long ago we asked our Metabolic Warriors what their goals for 2013 were.  The top two were to lose fat and to see abdominal muscles! Not surprising since we have stressed over and over how strong your core muscles are getting as we see you belt out full length pushups! So what does it take to see them?

Let us start with what is hiding under the skin. When you look at the diagram below the most recognizable muscle will be the rectus abdominis. Perhaps you first noticed them on…Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Gossling, or Sherry Christoff… just to name a few. This same muscle is what we commonly refer to as the “6 pack”, but is it really a 6 pack? From a genetic standpoint this muscle is not the same for all of us. Yes, we all have the same muscle, but look again at the diagram.  See those little white areas that separate the rectus abdominis muscle? Those are genetically different from person to person which is why you will sometimes see a 6 pack, sometimes a 4 pack, and sometimes a different sort of pack. Whew!  Glad we cleared that one up! 

Are you still wondering how to see your abdominal muscles? I am getting there, but first remember that the abdominal muscles actually serve a more useful purpose than to be a head turner. They protect our organs, they contribute to our posture, they assist with movement and act as stabilizers, and they also help us breathe! In Metabolic training we stress functional movements that constantly require core stabilization and through that you are continually recruiting them, to the point that it becomes second nature. Amazing! And that is just the tip of the iceberg on ab muscles!

So how can you see yours?  Two things are needed. Good, consistent nutritional habits along with consistent strength/aerobic workout programs. These together contribute to fat loss which will uncover those beautiful muscles! Aerobic (cardio training: vigorous walking, biking, running, swimming, elliptical…) benefits for fat loss can only be realized when you are pushing outside of your comfort zone into a breathless state. Not an easy place to push yourself. So what do you do? Metabolic Training! Twice a week you join up with a group of addicted Metabolic Warriors and you push your body past its limits into that anaerobic state of training that burns fat! We have heard many times from you, our participants, the great results you are seeing such as….my pants are falling off because my body has changed, I can feel my waist, my friends say my face looks slimmer, I have more energy, I am stronger than I have ever been, I can do a full length pushup, and after a few months of metabolic we frequently hear I lost weight!

For personal assistance in reaching your fat loss goals, see your personal trainers at Metabolic Training!