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.

Washboard Abs and Bikinis By Summer? Start Now

People make the commitment to get into shape and lose weight for many reasons. On top of that list of reasons, whether admitted or not, is looking good naked. For women that means being trim and tight. For guys, it means the long sought after washboard abs.

Everyone wants to look good, and that is a great motivator. However, there is a trend that I see every year. This trend tends to leave people looking the same year after year.

So what is this trend that keeps people from looking great, or having the washboard abs? Procrastination, plain and simple.

That is right, procrastination. And the bigger problem is that the world of fitness and fat loss business is all too eager to capitalize. How many articles, ads, and products get launched a month or so from Summer? The number is astounding.

The problem with this is that people start grabbing these products and programs by the truckloads, and in the process generate a lot of sales for the fitness industry, but ultimately fail to achieve their desired success. And this happens year after year.

It is easy to get caught up in the frenzy to look good by Summer, but it is not reasonable to expect to get the body you want in such a small amount of time. This leads to feelings of failure and loss of momentum. Add to that, most of the programs that people start in the rush to Summer are of the fad variety and give quick fixes, and tend to be unsustainable over the long run.

Fitness is all about the long run, the marathon if you will, not the sprint.

Well, here it is, the last official day of Summer 2007, but the year is unimportant. You can read this anytime. I am calling everyone to task. The time to start your Summer fitness and fat loss programs is now. You can look great in your bikini or be the envy of people everywhere with your new washboard abs by Summer, but you have to start now.

So, what to do? A running start to build momentum. First, start moving, anything at first above and beyond your normal routine. Maybe walking or light weight training. Second, start consuming less food than normal, and try to make the healthiest choices possible. This is your running start.

Now that you have made a running start, meaning that you are just making minor changes at first, it is time to develop your strategy. The internet is great in this case. Start reviewing plans. Go to Amazon.com or some of the fitness sites and read reviews on books and products. Research, research, and research some more. The key here is to find the solid programs that fit your needs and to avoid the fads. Since you already have added some extra movement into your day and changed up your eating habits a bit, you can take your time and research well.

After a week or two of research, you should have found a system of eating and exercise that compliments your goals and lifestyle. I will avoid trying to steer you here as the number of systems is staggering. Find what is right for you and stick with it.

By starting this far out, you will see progress. The progress will in turn create momentum and motivation. You can have your body by Summer, and the added bonus is you have started a fitness habit that will hopefully be with you for a lifetime.

So, get with it! Don't wait until the month before Summer. Get off of the failed fat loss and fitness treadmill. You will thank yourself for starting now when you show off your washboard stomach or buy your bikini next year.

Want to see some great programs to help you get ready for Summer? Go to "Fat Loss Secrets Made Simple!" to see reviews of some great fitness and Weight loss programs.

Eban Crawford is a professional podcaster and internet marketer. His podcast, Reaching for Lucidity, started in 2005, was signed to the Podshow Network in early 2006 and is one of the pioneering music shows in the burgeoning podcast world.

Flatten Your Abs While Getting a Six Pack

Many would like to have you believe that you could flatten your abs just by doing simple exercises for only eight minutes a day. The infomercials are definitely a major propaganda that would like to paint this type of picture in your mind making it all seem so easy so you’d purchase their products. And the sad thing is, you don’t benefit from this fad philosophy, they do. But, what is the best way? How can you flatten your abs and get a six pack at the same time. The answer is easy, along with these exercises; you’ll also need to follow a proper diet.

Wile exercises do create good abs, it is imperative to stick to a proper diet. This is because it helps to burn the layer of fat that is covering your stomach mussels that have the potential to become a sexy, six pack. What these people on the infomercials fail to tell you is that dieting along with exercise is important. If you do not stick to a good diet, that layer of fat will not burn off, and your stomach will be forever pudgy, and your abs will be hidden.

Everyone has a six pack. The thing is, some are more hidden than others. After the layer of fat is dissolved, it shows. Here is a three step process that you can follow to not only flatten your abs but also get a six pack.

First, you’ll want to burn more calories than you eat. Any dietitian will tell you that this is what you should do to burn off the fat. Make sure the diet is balanced as this is essential for your body to maintain homeostasis.

Second, do an hour or more of aerobic exercises. This is important as the energy put out during the workout is essential for burning fat. Exercise endurance and work out as long as you can as this will make your abs workout more effective.

Now, time to work those abs. You’ll need to get into a routine which will enable your body to stay on schedule and burn the fat in that area. Do this after your aerobic workout as your heart is still pumping, and your body is still burning calories.

IF you follow all of the advice given here, you are sure to not only flatten those abs, you’ll have that six pack you always dreamed of. Never again will you have to be misled as you now know the truth.

Download your free report today and discover the SHOCKINGLY simple abdominal workouts, exercises and nutritional advice that will shed pounds from your stomach & transform your flabby belly into firm & flat six pack abs

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