In ab tip 7 we will unpack the BEST types of cardio to build abs.
When it comes to building abs, the best types of cardio are usually short burst, high exertion aka explosive. When running for a short period at 70-90% of max speed, our core has to undergo the test. When you sprint, your arms and legs are pumping as fast as they can, and you’re continuously transferring your weight from side to side. Your core has to engage to maintain stability, preventing you from being pulled one direction or the other or from falling forward.
Sprinting activates the entire trunk, including the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques, as well as the stabilizing muscles of your spine. Sprinting also results in driving the knees higher than your usual jog, calling the abs to do more work. Ever notice Olympian sprinters tend to have not only a lean and muscular build, but most have extremely defined abdominals? This is due to them being put to work with each daring dash.
Best AB Cardio types: Keep tempo quick!
- Stairs
- Sleds
- Track sprints
- Hill sprints
- Jumping rope
- Trampoline! (LOL)
- HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) -This can include a wide variety of workouts i.e. run hard 1 minute, slow jog for 2 minutes, then repeat OR jumping jacks, mountain climbers, burpees... so on
- Drills: high knees, butt-kicks, skipping, bounding jumps, accelerations, bunny hops, etc.
FUN FACT:
High-intensity cardio increases the rate of metabolism and makes it last. In other words, calories continue burning long after a sprint session is completed; wherever as with a slow jog, you only burn calories DURING the run, but it does not continue after.
WHAT about PLAIN old running for ABS?
Running at a slower pace will help you burn a lot of calories and lean out your stomach; however you need speed and challenge in your runs to truly test and build the abs. If you don't think the above listed cardios are for you, I would challenge you to up your long distance running speeds. If you run a 10 minute mile pace try to work yourself up to a 7 minute mile over time.
Hope these ab reads are enjoyable! Stay tuned for tip #8 coming soon!