When it comes to getting a flat stomach and a nice set of abs it is a common misconception that just doing ab exercises alone will get the results you’re looking for. This is simply not true! In order to have a nice set of abs you first must get rid of the fat covering those abs. Otherwise, you’ll be doing all sorts of workouts (abs or not) minus the definition/toning element, and since humans cannot see under your stomach fat, there won’t be a 6-pack showing through.

So it’s key that, if your goal is to have a great set of abs, you must also be rockin’ those cardiovascular exercises as well during the week. This will help you get rid of that excess body fat and let those ripped abs show through!

Proper nutrition is also very important as well. If you’re working out & exercising your abs very hard but eating more calories than you’re burning , you’ll simply be storing fat in your cells, thus again shooting yourself in the foot for all that hard work you’ve put forth thus far. If you’re looking to lose some belly fat and have washboard abs, you must have a proper diet that is low in saturated fat, and high in protein with balanced GOOD carbohydrates! (HINT: not sugary carbs!)

Lastly, you need proper training to achieve the desired results of a tight, firm ab set. A lot of times people work their abs with no weight resistance at all–this is fine for burning some calories and slimming down your mid-section a bit, but if you want a nice set of washboard abs you’ve gotta add some resistance!

Train the abdominals just like any other muscle set, and if you are looking to make them more refined and ripped, you definitely need that resistance weight factored in. It doesn’t have to be more than 20-30lbs. I usually rest a 20lb. weight on my chest when executing sit-ups in the Roman chair.

In conclusion, for best results follow a strict cardio routine (at least 3 times per week), proper diet, and weight training to achieve that sexy, defined abdominal muscle wall!