The Truth About Tighter Abs
SHAPE Philippines |July/August 2017

There’s no one right way to tackle your midsection, which may be why so many myths abound. Let these top trainers set the record straight.

Janet Lee
The Truth About Tighter Abs

MYTH 1/

You can zero in on your lower abs

AB FACT The rectus abdominis (a.k.a. the six-pack) attaches at the bottom of your sternum and the crest of your pubic bone. It’s one long muscle, and you can’t isolate just part of it. “In all our studies where you actually measure people exerting against a force, the upper and lower rectus don’t work independently,” says researcher Stuart McGill, Ph.D., a professor of spine biomechanics at the University of Waterloo in Canada and author of Back Mechanic.

“The rectus acts like a rope, and the tension is equal all along the length of it.” If you’re trying to target extra flab in your lower abdomen, do some high-intensity interval training to amp up your calorie burn and then head to the market to buy healthy, whole foods. A combination of serious calorie burning and clean eating is the best way to get rid of belly fat (see Myth 4 for more on this).

MYTH 2/

Abs are made in the

kitchen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July/August 2017-Ausgabe von SHAPE Philippines .

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July/August 2017-Ausgabe von SHAPE Philippines .

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS SHAPE PHILIPPINES Alle anzeigen
Mindful Beauty
SHAPE Philippines

Mindful Beauty

The benefits you get from luxuriating with masks, soaks, and other decadent rituals are much more than skin-deep.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
May 2018
Bella Welcome To My World
SHAPE Philippines

Bella Welcome To My World

Actress Bella Thorne gets real about where she’s at mentally and physically—and where she’s headed.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
May 2018
SHAPE Philippines

Join The Fight Club

Martial arts can sculpt your body, sharpen your defense skills, and make you feel pretty almighty.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January/February 2018
Slim Chances
SHAPE Philippines

Slim Chances

Everyday habits can affect your abs in a big way. Follow these science-backed suggestions to see a noticeable change in belly size and strength over time.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
April 2018
Power-Train Your Brain
SHAPE Philippines

Power-Train Your Brain

YOU KNOW EXERCISE IS GREAT for your body and mood. But new research is showing that it can have an equally profound effect on your thinking skills. “Working out is one of the most powerful things you can do to strengthen the brain,” says Wendy Suzuki, Ph.D., a professor of neural science and psychology at New York University. “A single workout triggers physiological changes that improve mental function,” she says. You don’t have to go all out, either. “Taking a walk stimulates the release of serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and endorphins and makes you feel calmer and happier,” Suzuki explains. Those effects last for several hours, but if you hit the gym regularly, they may persist long term. Exercise trains you to push yourself when your body is telling you to stop, and that may help you remain calm when under pressure, research from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, found. Working out also triggers the production of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that builds the brain’s resilience to stress.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
February 2018
Your Instant Stress Detox
SHAPE Philippines

Your Instant Stress Detox

When something upsetting happens, the best way to handle it is to deal with the negative feelings and let them go. “Not processing emotions appropriately can lead to depression or even high blood pressure,” says Mithu Storoni, M.D., Ph.D., the author of Stress-Proof. The most effective ways to de-stress, though, aren’t always the most obvious. Try one or all of these proven methods to reset and relax.

time-read
1 min  |
June 2018
The New Light Therapy
SHAPE Philippines

The New Light Therapy

Bulbs in different colors deliver a rainbow of health benefits that make you feel strong, rested, and focused. Here’s how to activate their power.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
June 2018
The Adventure Lovers
SHAPE Philippines

The Adventure Lovers

Jaclyn, 33, and Scott Byrer, 31, are as crazy about working out as they are about each other. Their typical date? CrossFit or a multimile trail run. Here, they explain why their love for the active life is essential to their bond.

time-read
1 min  |
June 2018
Kate Kicks Back
SHAPE Philippines

Kate Kicks Back

Thanks to her new marriage, a healthier way of eating, and animal advocacy work she’s passionate about, Kate Mara has found her bliss zone.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 2018
​Postbaby Reality Check
SHAPE Philippines

​Postbaby Reality Check

There’s a mental and physical shift that can energize your motivation, appreciation, and well-deserved pride.

time-read
1 min  |
June 2018