Hard Muscle Fast!

Eight ways training your abs improves your life.

- Mark Barroso

The dream of washboard abs is probably the ultimate reason why you suffer through long planks and endless sit-ups. But along the way to that six-pack, you’ll see even bigger benefits. Here are eight great reasons to stay motivated on abs day.

1 OWN YOUR SPORT

Core training makes you a better athlete in just about any strength or speed sport, says Stuart McGill, a professor of spine biomechanics at the University of Waterloo. That’s because a strong core lets you transfer more power to your limbs so you can punch harder, smash a drive farther, and kick a ball with more force.

2 BOOST BALANCE

“A strong core keeps your torso in a more stable position whenever you move, whether you’re playing sports or just doing chores,” says sports medicine specialist Dr J. Christopher Mendler. That helps you avoid injury and makes your movements more efficient. Test your balance: Stand on one leg with your arms extended. If you last 60 seconds, you pass.

3 BEAT BACK PAIN