Saturday, January 30, 2010

The Correct Angle For Building Your Abs



Using the weight of your body during ab workouts is a great intensifier in the contractions your abdominals take in as you curl them. As a variation of the regular ab crunch, try these more difficult but nonetheless effective ab workouts by increasing the angle of resistance your body encounters as it makes its way up during movements. Doing crunches on a decline may tire your lower back easily, so make sure that you do the ab workouts on an angle which is as steep as your body can comfortably take.

Doing ab workouts on a decline requires you to position yourself on a decline bench which is initially set at an angle of 30 degrees, and then hook your feet under the foot bar; in this position your knees would be bent at an angle of 90 degrees.

Place your fingertips at the sides of your head as you relax your neck. Your back should not be against the bench but slightly raised from it; this is the best starting position in your ab workouts. Begin the ab workouts by slowly and carefully curling your chest in towards your thighs, contracting the abs on the top, then slowly and carefully going back to your first position.

As your line of sight is practically lower than your midsection during the ab workouts, it would be advisable to focus your eyes on your knees in order to maintain your stability and avoid jerking your body sideways as you perform the movements.

Also take note that you hinge your crunches from the middle of your abdomen, and not from your hips, in order to maximize the contractions in your ab workouts. If by chance you would like to improvise on the use of a decline bench, you could place several weight plates beneath the end of a flat bench, or you could hook one end of a flat bench over a racked barbell before positioning yourself the same way in the previously mentioned ab workouts.

When Eugene weighed 255 lbs, he never though he would cut weight,gain muscles and sculpt abs.Visit Ab Workouts to find out more today!

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The Grand Plan For Those Sexy Abs In 30 Days



Achieving Sexy Abs is something that requires a planned effort. Here is a grand plan that will enable you to do this:

Deciding to lose the excess baggage

It is important for you to have a firm decision to lose your excess fat. This will help you to persevere, until you have reached the leaner body you have always wanted.

Eating a balanced diet

Losing weight does not necessarily mean that you have to miss meals and following fad diets. Eating a healthy and balanced diet is all you need to get that leaner body you have been dreaming about. You have to introduce healthier foods in your body and gradually reduce or eventually phase-out unhealthy foods.

Weight Lifting & Abdominal Training to sculpt your body

Week 1

Start light. Concentrate on taking on a whole body workout per session using lighter weights with up to 8 repetitions/set. Do 3 sets - with 1 exercise per body part, including the abs. Do this 3 times a week.

Week 2

Go with moderate weights. Do whole body workout still with the same repetitions, sets and exercises per body part. The abs should have 3 exercises with 3 sets each at 8 reps/set. Do this 4 times a week.

Week 3

Same set-up with week 2 - Use moderate weights still but there should be an increase in repetitions per set, preferably 12 reps/set. The abs should still have the 3 exercises, 3 sets each at 12 reps/set. Do this 3 to 4 times a week.

Week 4

Continue using moderate weights for a whole body workout per session with up to 12 reps/set - 3 sets - with 2 exercises per body part with limited resting period in between sets. For the abs, do the same for week 3. Do this 3 times a week.

Running towards a leaner body

One of the top activities that people can do to burn fat is running. Compared to any other cardiovascular activities, running can burn more calories per minute.

Running not only helps you lose weight but can also fight aging and generally makes you stay healthy. This exercise are also known to release happy hormones that makes one feel good.

Swimming for a total body workout

When you go for a total body workout, swimming can be one of your choices. This is usually known as a demanding exercise as you have to use all of your major muscle groups. It has different strokes like backstroke, free style, butterfly and breaststroke - which all involves the movement of arms and legs.

Swimming, which helps reduce fat, can also improve your muscles' strength and flexibility, enhance your body figure, your blood circulation, and can take away stress. This is a very good alternative to other fat-burning exercises in your program. Once or twice a week of swimming will be great.

Monitoring your progress·

Once you have achieved the leaner body you wanted, there is a need for you to monitor your weight. You may want to maintain a progress chart so you will have clearer view of your improvement.

You also have to monitor your eating habits, the quality of food you are taking in and the calories you are consuming per meal. Waist measurements are also indicators of any improvement resulting from your efforts. Your physical activities and the total calories burned per session may be recorded as well.

This article is only a part of the many useful information you will find on abdominal training at http://envs.net/abdominal-training Visit the site for more useful information.

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Gym Equipment For Your Abs



Using equipment in doing your ab workouts adds challenge and intensity in your exercises. There is a wide variety of gym equipment available, each with its own purpose, whether in targeting a specific region of the midsection area, or toning down all of the abdominal muscles at the same time.

The effectiveness of the ab workouts partially depends on the equipment which your routine demands. In the long run, a carved and lean midsection will depend on the movements and contraction which your ab workouts will give you, whether you decide to use equipment or not.

This variation on your ab workouts will add some zest in your routine. Medicinal balls are very versatile in exercises, and you will utilize one in this version of the traditional crunch ab workouts. Position yourself for the ab workouts by first lying on your back with both of your knees bent, and your feet flat and firm on the floor.

You are now poised as if you are doing a basic crunch. Instead of putting your hands to the sides of your head, hold a five pound medicinal ball close to your chest; make sure you have it firm and close to you as you do the movements in your ab workouts. Push your lower back close to the floor and flatten its arches, then take a deep breath and relax your body.

Begin the ab workouts by curling up your upper body just as far enough so that your shoulders lift themselves a few inches off of the floor. Make sure you contract the abdominal muscles as you make your way up. The tension should be focused on the midsection area, and not on your upper body or your shoulders. Hold this position in your ab workouts for two counts, or for four seconds, and then return to your starting position.

When Eugene weighed 266lbs, he never though he would cut weight,gain muscles and sculpt abs. Visit Ab Workouts to find out more today!

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Loose Your Gut Using These 6 Steps to a Healthier Life and Great Abs Quick



Loose your gut by adopting these 6 steps to a healthier life and you will be able to see some great results fast. First, you must understand the concept that "Eat less and exercise more" is the law of thermodynamics that cannot be violated. This concept is one of the simplest to follow and yet we are faced with a society that cannot coped with this problem.

If you have been looking for a healthier life and training for a set of power pack abs, take note that these 7 steps can give you a leaner body as well as an added bonus, it will reduce your risk of getting cancer. So let's quickly skim through these 6 steps and get your butt off the computer and start implementing your workout and diet schedule.

1 - You have to be physically active everyday, at least for 30 minutes. It is not too much to ask of your time. Regardless of how busy you are, you can just take a stroll, jog around, and try to come up with a schedule using interval training or gym training.

2. Avoid foods such as fried chicken, fried foods, fast food like burgers and also avoid any foods that have plenty of sugar, calories and fats in them. Especially avoid soft drinks that contain plenty of sugar.

3. When preparing for your meals, always try to be aware that you need to have at least two-thirds of your meal to be mostly from plant origins. You are highly recommended to consume plenty of vegetables, beans and fruits. Try to have whole grain like wholemeal bread or brown rice instead of white rice.

4. Avoid or if possible, reduce your intake of processed meat. Some examples of processed meat can be ham and bacon.

5. Another thing to take note is to avoid salt as well (prevents water retention in your body). You should also stay away from moldy grains as well.

6. If possible, when you are on a diet, try to just consume the kind of foods being advised, and as much as possible, try not to include health dietary supplements into your diet. Go natural.

Hopefully, the above 6 points will be able to help you loose your gut, live a healthier life, and maybe start seeing some great abs on you.

For you are seriously trying to slim your waistline, stop piling on the fats, get discipline, enforce determination and get your own personal health magazine washboard abs at http://www.trainthoseabs.info

Don't wait for the next new year and the next and the next, make your stand to loose your gut now and get these free reports at http://www.trainthoseabs.info/free_report_to_get_rid_of_love_handles.html to start losing your abdominal fats.

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Exercises That Give You Strong Abs



Investing in strong abs is one the best choices you can make. Not only you will look better, but you will also be strengthening your whole core are and that will result in wellness and increased performance in any physical activity. Even sex! However you have to combine the exercising with a good diet, you can do as much exercise as you want, but if you never wipe off that layer of fat, your muscles will not show.

If you combine interval cardio training, a diet and exercises that give you strong abs, you're guaranteed success. Period. Put some dedication, some sweat and a lot of motivation, cause this is a journey for the constant people. Here I leave with the best exercises that will give you strong abs, with no order in particular:

Hip Extensions

1. Lie on the floor, putting your feet on something like a chair or fitness ball.

2. Contract your abdominal muscles to lift your midsection in line with the rest of the body. Hold.

3. Repeat for a full set.

Leg Lifts

1. Lie on a flat surface.

2. Lift off your legs so they form a 90 degree angle with the floor.

3. Slowly bring back your legs to the floor.

4. Repeat for a full set.

You can vary these exercises doing each leg separate. If you have lower back problems don't do these exercises, as it puts certain strain on it if done the wrong way. The key is using your abdominal muscles alone.

Toe Taps

1. Begin by sitting on a chair. Sit up straight with your hands behind your ears.

2. Lift your knees so your feet are about five inches off the floor.

3. Alternating your feet, tap on the floor with light movements.

4. Focus on your abdominal and have control when you rise and when you lower.

5. Repeat.

Wood chops

This will work your abs, thighs and arms at the same time! At the same time thanks to the activity it will increase your heart rate and metabolism.

1. Start in a lunge position. That is one knee bent I front off you and the other knee bent down almost to the ground.

2. Stretch forward your hands at chin level.

3. Slowly rotate your body trying to reach the ceiling facing the opposite direction.

That's it. These simple exercises will give you strong abs guaranteed! Be sure to be constant on your workout and combine it with a healthy diet and a good cardio workout. Good luck!

Learn how to get the stomach you want with The Truth About Six Pack Abs.

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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

What are Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)?



Today, most new vehicles are equipped with an anti-lock braking system or offer it as an option, and many car shoppers consider anti-lock brakes a must when they make a vehicle purchase. Designed to give the driver control over the vehicle while coming to a rapid stop, anti-lock brakes employ precisely calculated, rapid pumping action to prevent wheels from locking up during a sudden stop. Anti-lock brake technology marks such a significant breakthrough in the automobile industry that in a 2006 report published by www.cars.com, anti-lock braking technology was rated the #1 automobile innovation in recent years and was credited it for paving the way for roll mitigation and stability control technology.

Let us examine for a moment what happens to a vehicle without ABS as sudden pressure is applied to the brake. The wheel is capable of coming to a stop quicker than the vehicle itself, resulting in a skid as the wheel locks but the vehicle continues to move. When a vehicle skids, there is little traction and the driver has minimal or no control over the direction the vehicle will go.

Anti-lock brakes employ computer controlled speed sensors which detect sudden deceleration and activate right before the point when the wheels would otherwise lock up. By rapidly releasing and reapplying pressure to the brake system in quick intervals, the ABS system allows the tires to decelerate at the same rate as the vehicle, preventing skidding and allowing the driver to steer away from obstacles while braking if necessary. Without ABS, a vehicle in the same situation could lose traction, leaving the driver at the mercy of the out of control vehicle and anything in its path.

Several studies have raised doubt regarding whether the presence of ABS actually prevents accidents, and some experts suggest that drivers being unaware of how to correctly utilize the system contributes to the findings. When you rapidly compress the brake pedal in a vehicle with anti-lock brakes, it is normal to feel a pulsing or vibrating from the pedal, and possibly some noise. In vehicles with ABS, brakes should never be pumped with the foot. In an emergency stopping situation, hold constant pressure on the brake pedal while maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel to control the direction of the vehicle, allowing the ABS to do the job for which they are designed.

In purchasing a vehicle with ABS, note that all ABS systems are not the same. While some systems include a speed sensor and valve for each of the four wheels, others may have just one valve and sensor for both rear wheels. Consult the owner's manual for information about the type of ABS system with which a particular vehicle is equipped.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading provider of used cars in Austin. For more information please visit Greg Chapman Motors.

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How To Tighten Your Abs



Using the exercise bench in your ab workouts crams in your abdominal muscles as tight as possible in a single area, thereby making the contractions in your crunches that much more intense and concentrated. Including this exercise in your line up will tone down the midsection, particularly the upper abdominal area. Doing the ab workouts by placing your feet on an exercise bench also takes the pressure off of your lower back. The ab workouts also help in keeping your hip flexors relaxed, so you could focus solely on the crunches in your abdomen.

Position your body for your ab workouts by lying on the floor with your back flat against it, then raise your legs and place your feet steady on top off the exercise bench (you may also use a stable chair if you want to improvise). In this form your knees should be bent at an angle of 90 degrees.

Place your hands on the sides of your head and prepare for the movement in your ab workouts by relaxing your body and taking a deep breath. Begin the ab workouts by pushing your lower back into the floor and curling your shoulders upward and in toward your knees, going as far as you comfortably can. Aim your elbows toward your knees and contract your abs for truly intense ab workouts!

Take note that while doing the ab workouts, your feet should be placed on top of the bench, and not wedged beneath it; in this form you can use them for leverage while you do the contractions. If you would also like some added variation in your ab workouts, you could try taking one hand off the side of your head and placing it on the obliques on the opposite side, and twist your body as you make your way up during your ab workouts.

When Eugene weighed 255lbs, he never though he would cut weight,gain muscles and sculpt abs. Visit Ab Workouts to find out more today!

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Another Exercise to Create Those Sexy Six-Pack Abs



This exercise will help add to the "WOW!" factor when people see you in a swimsuit. It is a great workout not only for your abdominal complex but also for your lower back and for overall body strength in general. It is sounds extremely simple to explain. Let me assure you that the first few times you attempt it you'll find it to be quite difficult. However, after a week or two you will have mastered the motion and be able to increase the amount of weight you are using, thus exponentially improving the exercise results. This exercise is one more "arrow in your quiver" to get the abdominal look you want.

The exercise is called the "Russian Twist." It was taught to me by Jim Cawley, the owner of Dynamax Medicine Balls. I don't normally mention specific products in my writing but his product is pretty much the industry standard for medicine balls and I want you to know how to get one.

Jim is a fine gentleman living in Buda, Texas, where he makes those great medicine balls. The balls are available in two-pound increments from 4 pounds to 20 pounds. I would highly recommend getting at least one as they are among the most versatile pieces of exercise equipment ever invented. To show medicine balls versatility and timelessness, I read that one of the U.S. Presidents in the early 20th century, Theodore Roosevelt I believe, would set-up a volleyball net on the White House lawn and have the staff divided into two teams. One team would throw a medicine ball over the net and if the other team was unable to catch it, a point was scored by the throwing team. The medicine balls pre-date Teddy Roosevelt, but I believe that example helps show the versatility of the ball in exercise.

To perform the Russian Twist, begin by sitting on the floor with a medicine ball in your hands. I recommend you start with a four-pound ball until you have mastered this movement. When you have mastered the exercise, you can increase the weight of the ball. With the ball in your hands, tilt your upper-body back to about a 45 degree angle. Now raise your feet about six inches off the ground while keeping them together. The only part of you body in contact with the ground is your glutes. While maintaining your balance, slowly move the medicine ball around your waist to one side and touch the floor with the ball. Immediately move the ball to the other side of your body and touch the ground with it on that side. Each time the ball touches the ground is considered one rep. Try to do 10 reps the first time. The exercise will seem awkward and unstable at first but I promise your form will improve drastically after only a week or two.

As I mentioned in a previous article about abdominal exercise, let me remind you that big determinants to how your abdominals look are your nutrition and your well-rounded exercise routine. You have to have both of those in place to get visible results from ANY ab exercise. Despite television ads to the contrary, it's impossible to "spot reduce" fat from a particular body part. If you have a "beer belly" or this is the only exercising you do, we will make your abs stronger and more toned but a layer of body fat will cover up your six-pack treasure. If you want those abs to be visible, the bottom-line is to make sure you are doing your part with a good nutrition program and a solid exercise plan.

When I'm performing this exercise I normally use a 12-pound ball (the heaviest at my facility) and do 30 to 40 reps per set for 4 sets. It will take a little while but soon you will be doing the same number of reps and sets and maybe even surpassing my work. The Russian Twist is one more step down the road to sexy six-pack abs!

Cliff Wiese has been active in fitness, sports, and sport psychology since 1981. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, as well as a Sports Performance Coach. He works with a varied international clientele, ranging from world-class athletes to pre and post rehabilitation patients to Special Olympians. A speaker and writer in high demand, Cliff can be reached by email at cwiese@lycos.com or by telephone in the USA at 979-229-6276.

Cliff attended Schreiner University on athletic and leadership scholarship and has done graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma. He is active in Special Olympics as a Powerlifting Coach and is a volunteer grant writer for a number of charities, primarily organizations involving at-risk children. Cliff is also personally active in sport and has won championships in five different sports. He is currently finishing his first book, aimed at creating and sustaining successful and life-long workout routines for non-exercisers.

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What is the Deal With Abs Exercises?



Most people always want to look their best, and they have their own reasons to do it. Maybe there's a party coming soon, a wedding, or just because summer is close and is time to go to the beach. The first thing people worry about then is their stomachs; they get desperate to find the most effective, fastest, stomach exercises.

People relate six pack abs with looking good, and while that may be true, there are more important reasons to exercise or midsection. Having extra fat in the stomach has been proven to be linked to serious medical conditions such as seizures and diabetes.

The stomach along with the back is the core of our body, and this means everything we do relates to it. The healthier we have our core the fewer problems such as back pain we'll have. Good abs exercises will improve your posture and this in turn will make you look better. You'll walk taller, straighter projecting an image of confidence and power. Especially when we compare it to other people who walks hunched over.

Abs exercises are easy to do. The most effective abs exercises don't even need the use of machines or gadgets. They can be done any time, practically everywhere. All you need is some room and a little time. Even if you don't have time, you can take the advantage of your TV show breaks to do some crunches right away.

This accessibility to stomach exercises makes them popular also in workout programs, and that's probably the reason why you'll find out such great number of programs, videos and shows, they all want to keep with your needs. Most people don't even work other things on their bodies until they get the stomach they want.

There are many other reasons why stomach exercises are popular, but these are the most common ones. It is better if you start form a health point of view though, as this is the most important point of view to take. From there stick to any abs routine of choose and you'll see improvements both in your looks and in your health!

Learn how to get the stomach you want and more free stomach exercises. While you are there be sure to join our newsletter for tips and more product reviews.

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Starting Your Own Abs Workout



There are a lot of different exercises to get a tight stomach; their difference is both in the form and in the equipment. Some need you to use a specific machine; others are very simple and just require you to use natural resistance. There are some exercises that works the whole body too, such as Pilates or Yoga exercises. However there are also some exercises that are very basic yet bring results to millions of people.

One of these is the traditional crunch. These are great exercises to work the rectus abdominus with less train than in the sit-ups. In the traditional crunch you just lie on your back and raise only the upper portion of your body (head, shoulders and upper back) to about 30 degrees. The key is let your stomach take control and avoid grabbing your head. Also the three parts must be aligned, you should not arch you upper portion of the body. For proper form you can browse the Internet and check Youtube, there are literally thousands of pics and videos available.

Besides the traditional crunch, you should also perform the side crunch to work on your transverse abdominal muscles and your obliques. This is the zone where the infamous "love handles" are located. The technique is the same a sin the crunch, only that your body is twisted to one side. Again, do it slowly and with total control to get the most out of this stomach exercise.

Along with these two basic exercises you should include other movements. The stomach has different muscles and working them as a whole will give you a much better definition and midsection toning. Also, if you feel that an exercise isn't working for you, don't worry. Try another, not all bodies respond the same way to the same set of exercises. Remember that there is a whole variety f abs exercises to try out there.

While you can get a flat stomach with these exercises, nothing will happen if you don't commit to a workout and stick to it on a daily basis. For this purpose you should include exercise that re both fun to do and at a normal difficulty level for you. Some people get engaged in difficult workouts and end up quitting after a few days of trying.

Learn how to get the stomach you want and Stomach Toning Exercises. While you are there be sure to join our newsletter for tips and more product reviews.

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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Are You Sabotaging Your Own Abs Workout?



Abs workouts are like most things in life. There are is a good and effective way to do them and several ways to do them wrong. In the case of exercises, doing the things the wrong way can get pretty bad and often result in pain and injuries. Here are some tips that will help you do things the right way.

Repetition Freaks

There are people who do way too many repetitions. More repetitions won't mean that you'll get a six pack overnight! What matters most is the form, and with normal repetitions you'll get the most out of an exercise. If you feel it isn't working for you it must be the form or an ineffective abs exercise for you.

Control Your Knees

When doing crunches, the most basic stomach exercise, put your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent so they are pointing the ceiling. Keep them like this all the way. Don't lean them or widen them. It can lead to back injury.

The Straight Leg Lift Problem

Avoid this exercise because it does more for your lower back pain than for your abs.

Sleeping

The ways you sleep help shape your abdominal workout. If after sleeping you get back pain, then you are sleeping in a wrong way and need to recover. Use a good pillow, or an orthopedic pillow to relieve sleeping problems. The worst way to sleep for stomach exercises is on your stomach on a soft mattress, since it requires you to arch your back.

Lack of Resistance

To develop your abs or any other muscle you must work with resistance. Even crunches have resistance - gravity. So avoid those twisting exercises where you have no resistance, they are great for warm up but not for strengthening.

Remember also to give a rest once in a while to your abs. Rest is required to make the muscle grow. It is true that abs muscles don't need too much rest but when starting out, give them just a day so they'll be stronger the next time you engage in your abdominal workout.

Learn how to get the stomach you want and more Abdominal Exercises. While you are there be sure to join our newsletter for tips and more product reviews.

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Six Pack Abs - Result Not Just From The Workout But Your Mindset Also!



It pretty clear that most people want and train to have strong, cut, ripped and impressive abs. We all want 6 pack abs and there are many many exercises specific for this end results.

But in training my clients I focus very clearly and very obviously on what is the most important aspect of abdominal training....

You can do all the sit ups in the world, but if you are not focused and have 'your head in the right place' - results will not be what they could be.

The first thing to get correct is your mental approach. I've seen many people (and I used to be one of them) who throw in a few ab exercises at the end of a good workout for say chest and shoulders, they give it a 50% effort and then head to the showers.

It is so important to know that whenever you train abdominals you are training a muscle same as chest, shoulders, biceps, triceps or any other major muscle group. Yes they may be smaller - the abs - but you need to focus just as intently on this section of your workout as you would any other.

I am not saying that everyone does not do this...but it is interesting to see the obvious difference in results when people focus 110% on their abdominal training and do it with intensity, as opposd to when they just throw a few sit ups in with some other ab exercises. The mind is a powerful tool and it should be used in conjunction with abdominal training.

Because when all is said and done, six pack abs are absolutely obtainable and easier than you think. But you need to know you can do it and when you train abs - Make SURE you do it as intensely as your mind is telling you to do it.

There are no shortcuts folks, but the results are worth every second of intense focus. And results are guaranteed with this method, not only in abdominal training, but in any other endeavour you take on.

Know you can do it. And enjoy the intensity. The results will come quicker than ever.

(after all - you are going to take the same amount of time regardless...do it properly and you'll beefit greatly)

Tristan Lewis is a Certified Fitness Professional, Personal Trainer and Author of the most informative book on abdominal training on the internet. He has travelled the world training clients and has spent 15 years in over 15 Countries in the research of his book. His AbMetrics - The Global Almanac of Proven Abdominal Training was researched thoroughly and provides many new and exciting proven abdominal exercises as well as a structuring of the 'classics' that work. Get the book now http://www.fastsixpackabs.com

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