Interview with Fitness Trainer - Mike Geary

This video (actually an audio) contains a short interview one of our favorite fitness trainers, certified nutrition specialist and personal trainer, Mike Geary. Mike's ebook is obstensibly about getting great abs, but in truth his program and philosophy is one of a holistic approach to health and fitness, which utilizes healthy diet and nutrition, as well as fat-burning exercises that balance the entire body while building a strong core. In this interview, Mike explains why there is no "magic pill" when it comes to getting flat, strong abs, and why so many of the gadgets and programs out there are just a waste of time and money, and what really matters when it comes to getting results.

Listen to this interview to learn more, and if you would like more info on Mike's program, see the link below.

Mike Geary, Truth About Six Pack Abs - Interview pt 01
Part 1 of extensive 90 minute fat burning and lean body Interview with Mike Geary, author of "The Truth About Six Pack Abs"


Click Here to Learn More About The Truth About Abs...

Exercises to Flatten The Stomach

There are many times in a person's life when they really want to look their best. Perhaps it is for a high school reunion or for a wedding, and probably the most popular time for wanting to look good is during swimsuit season. Whether it's fitting into a slinky evening gown, or baring it all (or most of it) at the beach, gaining a flat stomach is something that many people strive for when trying to look great.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People tend to think that a flatter stomach means better looks and most people want to look their best. A flat stomach does go beyond looks however; there are medical reasons why a flatter stomach is generally a healthy way to go. Medical evidence suggests that people that carry extra weight around the stomach tend to be more likely to develop serious medical conditions, including diabetes. The stomach is also the core of the body, this means that the stronger and healthier the core is, the less injury-prone the rest of the body will be. Consider a person with back problems, which is a common problem with many people. These people can benefit greatly from doing exercises to strengthen their abs and core muscles. This will help improve posture and relieve tension in the back as excess weight is removed from the center of the body.

Besides looks and health, another reason why exercises to flatten stomach muscles are popular is because they are easy to do. They can be done practically anywhere, in a gym, at home in front of the television or anywhere else. They also do not require expensive equipment to do. While there are plenty of machines and smaller pieces of equipment all geared for working the stomach muscles, they are not necessarily needed to get the same results. All a person needs is some room to lie down and the desire to improve their stomach. There are a wide variety of exercises that target this area of the body, so a person can choose which moves will work best for him or her.

Personal Trainer Ab Exercise (Photo credit: katieklimek)

Because this type of exercise is so popular, most workout programs, whether on a video watched at home, or in a live class at a health club, will include exercises to tone and flatten stomach muscles. Toning this part of the body can help with the strength and health of the body as a whole.

Obviously there are many reasons why people want to flatten their stomach and spend a lot of time doing exercises to accomplish this goal. Whether the reason is vanity or health, it is important to remember that as with all things, it will take time to get the desired results and a person must stick to whatever program they are comfortable with until they have the stomach they want. The good news is that stomach muscles respond very well to even a little exercise, with some exercise and a good healthy diet, most people can see results, provided there is no medical reason why they probably won't succeed.

Here are some of my favorite ways to have fun while getting great abs!

   

Stomach Exercise All-Stars

There are plenty of stomach exercises out there for those who want to shape their core and strengthen their midsection. This may be both a blessing and a curse. It is easy to find plenty of exercises and routines that work the midsection, but how does one know which ones are any good?

Image via WikipediaWell, listed here are what appear to be some of the best around, according to recommendations by fitness experts. If you want to work on your stomach, but are not sure where to start, then this "all-star team" may be a good jumping off point. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before beginning and always warm up properly to avoid injury.
     
Crunchless Crunch
Regular crunches are great for working the rectus abdominus (the muscles at the front of your stomach), but they do very little for the transverse abdominal muscles deeper in the midsection, plus they tend to put strain on your back and neck. This first exercise corrects that, working the transverse muscles with no back or neck strain. Essentially, it involves trying to pull the belly button in towards the spine. This can be tricky, as it involves using muscles which you may not be used to activating.

1. To start, either lie or on your stomach or kneel. You might want to try both ways and see which helps you feel the exercise better. 
2. Relax your body as much as possible, then try to use only the lower abdominals to move your belly button toward your spine. 
3. Hold for ten seconds. If holding for ten seconds feels easy, hold for a longer period. The goal is to hold the contraction until you either cannot feel it, or you feel other muscles working harder than the transverse abdominus. When you feel this, let the contraction out.

Image via WikipediaHip Lift
Remain on your back for this stomach exercise.

1. Put your arms at your sides with palms facing up to the ceiling. 
2. Put your legs straight up in the air so that the soles of your feet are facing the ceiling and your legs make about a ninety degree angle with your torso. Keep your knees unbent and as straight as possible. 
3. Now, contract your ab muscles so that it feels like your belly button is being pulled toward your spine, while at the same time gently lifting your hips off the floor. 
4. Raise your hips to height of a few inches, keeping your legs extended straight upward. 
5. Hold this position, then slowly lower your hips back to the floor. Repeat for an entire set.

Long Arm Crunch
For this stomach exercise, remain on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat.

1. Lie back and extend your arms straight back on the floor as though you are reaching above your head. 
2. Contract your abs and slowly lift your arms, head and shoulders off the floor to about a thirty degree angle. 
3. Hold it, then slowly lower your shoulders back to the floor. Repeat for an entire set. Be careful not to lead with your arms, keeping them straight and alongside your head.

Some other honorable mentions include the vertical leg crunch, torso twists, and any Pilates routine that emphasizes the core. Feel free to research some of these exercises more once you have mastered the three above. Now that you are armed with some of the better stomach exercises, you are on your way to a trimmer tummy!