There are a number of key requirements to fulfil in the quest for those elusive ripped abs, obviously a strict diet and a great workout plan are a must because without losing that excess fat from our bellies we will never get to see the six pack underneath. Don’t forget, repetitive exercise doesn’t create abs, they are already there in the first place!
There are so many factors that will dictate our natural physique, age and gender are just two, but it is our genes that determine where you will store body fat. Some people will store fat around their thighs and butts, this tends to be women, and guys have more of a tendency to store their body fat around their stomachs, especially as they approach middle age. It is imperative that you grasp just how your body uses, stores and burns fat.
The body uses fat and carbohydrates as an energy source. The level of intensity in your exercising will determine how much fat or carbs you will burn. The current thinking is that the lower the intensity and the longer the time spent on the exercise then the more fat you will burn. In fact you will see it written on all the cardio machines at the gym in black and white. The “Fat Burning Zone†means that the lower the intensity and the longer you work, normally at around 50-60% of your maximum heart rate then the more fat you will burn for energy. The higher your intensity then the more likely you are to use up carbs as fuel.
The thing to remember however, is that it doesn’t matter at all how much fat you are burning if you are not burning off enough calories. Fat burning only happens when you burn more energy than you take in and high intensity workouts are simply the most effective way to achieve this. Remember, energy in versus energy out equals fat loss. It’s actually quite a simple equation.
Now don’t think that there is not a place for a low intensity cardio workout, there is. It would be a good idea however, to mix up your cardio workouts with some real high intensity training. Perhaps 20 minutes at around 80-85% of your maximum heart rate on any cardio machine. Interval training, perhaps sprinting at full speed for a minute then walking for a minute etc, will give you all the intensity you will ever need to burn calories as well as fat.
Also try to fit in the odd moderately intense cardio session as well, 75% of your maximum heart rate should do the trick. Muscular definition and ripped abs are there for you, as long as you can combine your cardio with a great strength training programme. Lifting good weights is a great way to burn fat as it significantly speeds up your metabolism and preserves your lean muscle mass. The more muscle mass you have then the more calories you will burn in your everyday activities.so even a gentle walk will help in burning fat.
All it takes is a commitment to do a little something each day, even if it’s just a brisk stroll, as that will put your body into fat burning mode. Then, and only then will you get to see those ripped abs and that great physique hidden underneath.
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