Kate Hudson's abs are looking fab these days, but can you get abs like that by using the ab machine at the gym?
Ab machines will definitely give your abs (and back) a decent workout, but I wouldn't rely on this machine for head turning abs. The problem with the machine is that it only allows you one position and if your goal is abs like Kate, a good idea would be to work your belly from all angles.
Right now I am loving the full body crunch because not only does it add variety to a boring ol' crunch and it works your abs from several angles, you can also do it anywhere. Here's how: Lie supine (on your back) with knees bent, feet touching floor and hands behind your head. Curl your abs up (make sure to pull your belly button towards your spine and flatten your lower back against the floor), while bringing your shoulders and feet off the floor. Hold for 3 seconds and lower slowly back to starting point to complete one -- Do 3 sets of 15 to start, but work your way up to doing 3 sets of 25.
Fit's Tip: Make sure to breathe on the curling action of the exercise and don't use your hands to push your head up, your abs should be doing all the work.
For motivation on doing full body crunches, i.e. more pics of Kate's fab abs then read more
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Thanks for the tip.
1I think I can picture this in my head (I am at work so I can't try it out right now...) but can you post a picture perhaps????
2What if I have a little potbelly? should I do aerobics to get rid of my paunch, and then try the crunches? or should I try crunches before losing the paunch?
3There is a machine at my gym which will do this with me lying on it. I feel like I am using a torture device but oh well!!
4My best friend is a personal trainer, and she told me that in order to get a six pack, it's actually all about the cardio and working the major muscle groups, that multiple crunches/sit-ups really aren't going to do much (unless you are really in shape)...
5Thanks for the tip! I just started working out last Monday after joining a gym. I'm so sore, but looking for good ideas to keep up the forward motion.
However, maybe it's the midwesterner in me, but where the heck is that child goin that she can wander the streets in a little bralet? Around here it'd cause traffic accidents and maulings.
6BethS: My trainer says the same thing. He obvioiusly has a super fit stomach, but he does not do crunches. For women, your body fat % has to be quite low for your abs to show...I've read around 13%. Mine is at 16% right now and I see a tiny bit of definition, but not like Kate's.
7Puddinpie, 16%, that's awesome!! Good for you! I shudder to think what mine is, but I'm working on it!
8Puddinpie, 16%, that's awesome!! Good for you! I shudder to think what mine is, but I'm working on it!
9Wow 16%! How do you even find that out (I know how to do BMI, but that's different right?). Hmm actually I think I might be w/ BethS and be better off not knowing!
10Well, there's the hydrostatic (sp?) method, which is the most accurate. Expect to pay between $50-$100 (or more!) for one session. They basically dunk you in a water tank. If you watch "Workout", Jackie Warner made all her trainers do it, and also all her overweight clients at Skylab. 2 of her female trainers were about 13%, and 1 female was about 18%--all very fit!
Then there's the body fat caliper test, where they pinch your fat from different areas on your body (stomach, upper arms, etc.)
There's also the body fat scales, which I use, which are accurate depending on how hydrated you are...for the best accuracy, you should do it in the early evening (so you've had all day to have some water). The scale shoots a painless electric current through your body and the number shows up on the scale. Body fat scales had a bad rep with fitness trainers many years ago when they first came out, but apparently they are much more accurate now. Also, they're very affordable--I got my Tanita scale for $30 from Bed Bath and Beyond.
I think I'm going to maintain at around 16%--I got down to 10% when I was 19 but I had no hips back then!
11Wow, 16% is a far off dream for me! Although I'm only 10 pounds away from the top end of the target wieght for my hieght, my body fat is off the charts! The caliper test gave ma a percentage of 42%. I nearly threw up with embarrassment. It was horrible. At least now I'm putting in some effort at the gym. Hopefully by the end of the summer I can see at least a little improvement.
12She has no boobs! But other than that she has a great body!
13hmm, in my experience cardio helps melt the fat way...gets you lean. and if you want tone and definition...do crunches, leg lifts, use a balance ball. so i would suggest doing a mix of both cardio and weight training
14Pilates has really strengthened and toned my abs more than anything else I've tried and that includes crunches, yoga, tae bo and machines. I try to mix up the pilates with cardio, yoga and and light weights.
15wow she looks great! wish i had abs like that. thanks for the tips guys
16one more think to add to my list.. I dream of perfect abs, but I need to get a wee bit more serious frist
17love to have abs
18To get sexy abs, just do a lot of cardio and do light weight lifting 2-3 times a week!! Also: EAT CLEAN!! Meaning: NO excess white carbs! Go for the WHOLE GRAIN CARBS!!!
19my goodness, those are some abs.
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