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Abs Training Guide

Abs Training guides, facts and routines

This is a blog providing guidance for people interested in abs training, developing six-packs and improving core strength.

Abs Training Exercises You Can Do At Work

Hey guys, after several weeks the Abs Training Guide is back. Yay! Some of the readers have contacted me asking if there are any good exercises they can do at work, sitting in a chair, not attracting too much attention from co-workers. Now this is a very good question, as most of you probably work on a computer in an office, where you just can’t take a break for a 15 minute workout. Maybe you’re too tired at the end of the day, when you finally get home, lacking any motivation to start doing exercises. I’ve been there, so I know how hard it can be sometimes.

She got it wrong...

She got it wrong...

As for the answer to your question:
Yes, there are a few abs training exercises you can do sitting in a chair.

But I’ll make it clear now: these exercises won’t bring half as much improvement as the best exercises I’ve discussed in this blog earlier. However, doing these less effective exercises is still WAY BETTER than not doing any exercises at all! The key point here is the same as with other workouts: make it a daily routine, or at least an every-other-daily routine (yes, I just made up that word). Consistency and repetition is the key ingredient of most great achievements.

If you don’t have your own well separated office, you might feel awkward doing some of these exercises. But don’t worry, as my sifu always tells, “a wonder lasts for three days”. When your colleagues first notice what you’re doing, they will be surprised, maybe even curious. They might think you’re a weirdo. Some of them might even laugh at you behind your back. So what… The next day they will still think there’s something wrong with you. Next week, they will get totally used to it, and everything will be back to normal. Again, this is my own experience. Been there, done that. Actually, when a fellow student seen me once doing these exercises before a very long and extremely boring presentation, she asked me what am I doing (in a nice way). I told her I’m doing my pre-sleep workout routine. She then tried these exercises, and was very happy about it, apparently. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t recommend using this method to pick up chicks :-)

So let’s move on to the actual exercises.

1. Spread knee lifts:
Sitting on your chair, spread your thighs a bit so that they shape a V. Lift your left knee up as high as you can, hold it there for a second, then lower it back to the ground. Do it 15-20 times with the left and then with the right leg. This exercise utilize most muscles down from the obliqes to the thighs.

2. Closed knee lifts:
Sit with your legs closed together, your knees touching each other. Let your arms support your upper body weight by leaning on the sides of your chair. Raise both knees towards your chest, as high as you can. Hold them at the highest point for a second, then slowly lower them back. Repeat 10 times. Don’t worry if you can’t raise your knees up for more than a couple of inches. Just raise as high as you can. This is a very good abs training exercise that utilizes most of the abdominal muscles.

3. Sit uptight, and do  ab vacuums.

4. Ab twists:
Sit with your legs closed together, with a straight back. If you have a water bottle nearby, then take it in your hands. Extend your hands forward, both holding the bottle. With your legs staying fixed on the ground in front of you, slowly but steadily turn your upper body to the left. Make sure you reach the point from where you can’t turn any further. Hold it for a couple of seconds, then turn back to the middle and do the same to the right side. Repeat 5-10 times on both sides.

These four easy exercises will keep you fit every day, pump some blood into your limbs and make you fresh, ready for the rest of the long day at work.

I hope you found this article useful. I’ll be back soon with more abs training tips, stay tuned!

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01.Nov.09 exercises, office Comments (0)

The Best Abs Training Exercise You Can Do Anywhere, Anytime

In my previous post, I’ve talked about the Best Abs Training Exercises. I intentionally missed one of the most important exercises, which is also pretty unknown despite its effectiveness, importance and the fact that you can do it ANYWHERE at ANY TIME.

The exercise is called ab vacuum. Don’t be afraid, it’s not related to carrying around some kind of vacuum suction device. At first glance, it’s a simple exercise that’s basically contracting cour inner abdominal muscles. It was very well-known and popular among body builders of the 1970’s and 1980’s. However, for a complete abs training, the ab vacuum must be practiced regularly.

What are the benefits of the ab vacuum exercise?
By doing the ab vacuum, you contract the transversus abdominus. By improving this inner abdominal muscle, you will gain additional core strength, and your waistline will get thinner as well. It will also prevent developing a protruding belly, which happens to many practitioners of common abs training exercises. The transversus abdominus is a supporting mucles. It holds your intestines and more generally your stomach ‘in place’ during an intensive workout. Although the transversus is hidden, when it’s contracted your other abdominal muscles will look more defined and toned. Finally, a stronger inner muscle means a much smaller
chance of back pain.

So how do I perform this great exercise?

  1. Stand up, putting your hands on your hips on both sides.
  2. Exhale all the air out of your lungs. This might be harder at first than it sounds, just keep pushing.
  3. Pull your stomach in as much as you can while you exhale, as if you were trying to touch your belly button to your spine.
  4. Hold this position for 20 seconds. Keep breathing into your chest at a normal pace. You shouldn’t hold your breath while doing the exercise.
  5. After 20 seconds, finish the exercise by easing your ab muscles.

That’s it. This is a very easy and very effective exercise. You can do it while standing in a queue, listening to your mom on the phone or waiting for the bus. You won’t break a sweat either, so there’s no excuse for not doing it every day.

How often should I do it?
First two weeks: 3 x 20 seconds every day.
Third to fourth weeks: 3 x 30 seconds every day.
Fifth week and after: 3 x 60 seconds every day.

For the best results, you should do the repetitions consecutively.

Oh, and please tell your friends about the best abs training exercise that nobody knows of!

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23.Aug.09 basics, exercises Comments (0)

Welcome to The Abs Training Guide!

This is a brand new blog for people who are interested in abs training, getting a visible six-pack and improving their body in general. My posts will guide you in your journey to become the proud owner of an attractive and strong six-pack ab.

I’ll show you lots of things, debunk centuries-old myths and misconceptions, teach you the basics, the anatomy, the best and most effective exercises and routines, help you develop some really useful habits, give you diet tips, and tell you some secrets that will blow your mind and boost your abs training.

Who am I and why am I writing this blog?

I’m 23 years-old computer geek who has been doing all kinds of sports since the age of 7. I started writing this blog to provide you with all the useful information on abdominal training, so that you won’t waste your time and money on the wrong methods. I did Judo, rowing, kayaking, basketball, streetball, beach volleyball, kick-boxing, breakdancing, tai chi chuan and wing chun kung fu. And I’ve spent half of my life sitting in front of my computer. Quite controversial right?


Actually it isn’t controversial. I’ll be honest with you: I’m a lazy guy. I’m usually too lazy to do anything productive, including sports. Man, it’s damn hard to start moving! We all know that.  So the key to the mystery is: I enjoy sports. I enjoy moving once it’s already started. We all do, because we are humans and that’s how our body works.

Your body rewards you for improving it!

Once you start moving, your heartbeat gets more rapid, your body temperature raises and your brain starts adjusting hormone levels. Exercising will reduce the level of so called ’stress hormones’ like cortisol, and will raise the level of endorphine. Endorphine is the ultimate crack! It gives you instant joy and happiness, even euphoria, and has no known malicious side-effects. The word endorphine actually means “a morphine-like substance originating from within the body”.  All-natural, legal and non-addictive.

Society rewards you for improving your body!

Guys! Have you ever heard a woman say “Wow, this guy has such a great body!” ? I have, like a million times. Beleive me, women get really excited about men with perfect bodies, just as we drool on Ana Kournikova or Maria Sharapova.

Ladies! Although most men say “A little fat on your tummy is very sexy.”, we actually prefer women with thin waists. Ever heard of 36-24-36 (or 90-60-90)? It’s hard-coded into men’s brains to get excited about a female body with those parameters. For some reference, here’s the woman with the sexiest abs ever.

Other benefits of abs training

There are many other effects that can be related directly or undirectly to exercising your adbomen. Here are some examples:

  • Faster, more efficient metabolism
  • Improved core strength
  • Greatly reduced risk of back pain and spinal injuries
  • Better overall health
  • Better mood in your everyday life
  • Showing up on the beach half-naked without shame

I’m sure you already know you wanna do it. Stay tuned, and I’ll show you how to do proper abs training!

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01.Jul.09 Introduction, basics Comments (0)

The author
Welcome to my blog!
I hope you like it and enjoy both reading about and applying these methods. Feel free to contact me!
-M. Hajnal