abs

For athletic performance, there is almost nothing that tops the importance of having a strong, flexible, dynamically capable, and explosively powerful core. All the muscles from the rectus abdominis (abs) to the erector spinae (lower back) and the tranversus abdominis (the belt wrapping it all in) require hard training to be brought (and to bring you) to full potential, and make up the conduit that transfers power from your lower body to upper body. We now know that to build a solid core, you have to do some solid work – doing 200 crunches is no replacement for heavy, powerful flexion movements. We also know that a sleek, toned midsection is one of the sure marks of an individual who is in peak physical condition. More simply put, everyone you know – or maybe want to know – digs a six-pack.

Most of us would love nothing more than to have a flat, defined midsection worthy of an 80’s action flick or the latest Hollywood comic book adaptation. The problem is, most of us also have no idea where to begin on our quest toward magazine cover-dom.