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Viewing The Abs Myth - Here is the TruthThe Abs Myth - Here is the Truth
By getchizeled
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It's a generally accepted truth that the defining characteristic of a fit individual is a toned midsection. Aesthetically speaking of course, a person might have big arms and legs, but without toned abs, they do not appear fit! In this article, I will detail the muscles making up the midsection and explore what steps one might take to improve their overall appearance through core training. The abdominal muscles (or 'abs' as they are generally referred to) are the only muscles of the body not directly supported by bone. Abdominal muscles are unique in that they form a crisscrossing pattern over the midsection in three layers to provide protection for the organs and facilitate movement of the torso. The outermost layer of our abdominals is the external obliques. They arise from the eight lower ribs and attach either straight down to the iliac crest or diagonally across to an aponeurosis that stretches across the front of the abdomen. Contracting one side causes side bending or rotation on the opposite side. Contracting both causes flexion of the trunk. The second layer of the abdominals is comprised of both the external obliques and the rectus abdominis. Abs are no more difficult to develop than any other major muscle group in the body. However, they are difficult to see because the body tends to store more fat in that area. Consequently, one must be lean in order to see the muscle at all. This is accomplished through a combination of four distinct activities: Concentrating more on one area than another is a surefire path to failure. I encourage clients to train their abs up to three times a week - resting at least a day between training sessions. I believe that educating fitness readers on how their body works is a key component is helping them reach their workout goals. As such, I am hopeful this article can help you along on the road to a more fit and healthy lifestyle. About the Author: Jeff Mendoza is a certified and insured personal trainer with over ten years of experience helping others to achieve their individual health and fitness goals through developing and administering cutting edge, exciting and effective training programs in South Florida, USA. Jeff Mendoza, CPT, HFS. http://www.chizeled.net. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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