Mélissa Globensky and Dino Masson, B.Sc., Kinesiologists
To burn calories, do a combination of medium to high-intensity cardiovascular training and strength-building. Results guaranteed!
At the start of the summer season, we tend to pay a lot of attention to our physical appearance. Some may call it vain, but most women are concerned about the flatness of their stomach. Countless adjectives are used to describe this part of our body, which goes on show during bikini season, like it or not. Here are some tips to help you achieve a flatter stomach.
It’s important to know that fat cannot be changed into muscle. Performing 100 abdominal reps per day will improve superficial muscle tone, but it won’t make excess fat melt away. Why?
The body, particularly that of women, has specific zones for storing fat cells (see image). Of course, these zones differ in size from one woman to another and react differently based on lifestyle and exercise.
To reduce the amount of accumulated fat, you need to work the body as a whole. The key to success is therefore energy expenditure. The best way to burn calories is through medium to high-intensity cardiovascular training combined with strength-building exercises. The more muscle mass the body has, the greater the energy expenditure will be at rest, and the less your body will store fat. A short high-intensity workout will have a better long-term impact on fat accumulation than a one-hour low-intensity workout on a stationary bike.
Of course, in order to improve stomach muscle tone, you must include in your training program some exercises specifically focused on deep abdominal and spinal muscles. These muscles are called upon all day long to maintain your posture and body alignment. They should therefore be worked for endurance, in other words by maintaining a static position for a certain amount of time.
Here are 3 exercises to flatten your stomach.
Hold the position for 20 to 30 seconds, keeping your abs tight and breathing well. Do 2 or 3 sets.
Hold the position for 20 to 30 seconds, keeping your abs tight and breathing well. Do 2 or 3 sets.
Perform 10 to 15 reps on each side, keeping your abs tight and breathing well. Make sure your hand and foot are stretched out and your body straight. Do 2 or 3 sets.
Don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist for additional information. Have a good workout!
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