This is a test post for my new “ab Roller Target” concept. I’ll explain what it is in this posting, and then maybe do another one or two postings on it later this month. Basically, what this is all about is using your ab muscles when you are doing sit-ups… and… making sure you are working the “right” muscles. So, let’s say you are doing your normal set of sit-ups (like the ones prescribed by the “father of modern exercise,” Arthur Jones). Let’s say you are doing three sets of 10 reps of that routine. Now, let’s say you want to add some “spice” to your workout.
But, that would be stupid. What you really should do, if you are working out to increase your lean muscle mass… is… Increase The Intensity Of Your Exercises – But – Only By A SMALL PERCENTAGE! For example, if your current routine calls for you to do three sets of 10 reps, you should do… Three Sets Of 8 Reps + One Set Of 10 “Spaced-Out” Repetitions – This Will Work Your “BIG” Muscles – And – Leave Your “SCATTERED MUSCLES” Untouched! Here’s why: If you increase the intensity of your workout too much, you will get injured. And, that’s not what you want, is it? No, you want to be able to keep on trucking with no downtime… so you can get back to your “real” job (which is usually making more money than you can spend)! Anyway, to begin with, let’s say you are doing your normal routine as described above. Let’s say you have been working out for a couple weeks now… and… you have noticed your stomach getting leaner and leaner.
You have also noticed, however, that your arms are staying the same size (or maybe even getting a little bit a bit thicker). What this means, my friend, is you are NOT using the right muscles. You need to add some “muscle confusion” to your workout. How do you do this? Simple… By Using An Exercise Like The One I Described Above – But – This Time Instead Of 10 Reps… You Do 8 Reps… And… Then… YOU DO 10 “SPACED-OUT” REPETITIONS! Let’s give this a try: Let’s say you are currently doing your normal routine… and… you want to add ab confusion to your workout. Here is what you do: Set Up A Barbell Or Weight Bench (Or Even Some Conventional Dumbbells) In Front Of You In The Neutral Position – That Is, With No Forces Acting On It Except For Those From Your Body Weight And The Gravity Of The Earth – Place One End Of Your Dummy Parallel To The Barbell (Or Dumbbells) And Raise Yourself Up To Performing The Exercise – But – Don’t Do Any Sit Ups Yet! Now, let’s say you get about half way up (maybe you’re 1 foot off the ground). Now, stop raising yourself up and start performing the ab exercise.
Go ahead and do 8 reps. Stop. Now, start doing your 10 “spaced-out” repetitions. Keep doing this until you can no longer perform the ab exercise. You should be able to do that in 2-3 sets of 10 “spaced-out” repetitions. Once you are finished with this “muscle confusion” workout, you should feel confused. Confused as to which muscle groups are working… and… confused as to why certain ones seem to work more than others. This Is The “Magic” Of This Type Of Workout! It is messing with your muscles’ “routines”… and… their “reprogramming” your body into working out the “right” way! You see, your body has a natural “routine” when it comes to working out. Let’s say you are having a bad day… and… you decide to take a long walk or go for a jog. Your body knows this routine… and… it will work to prevent you from doing it. Your body will tell you “no” more than 50 times before it finally gives in and lets you get moving.
However, once you start moving, your body will change its “mind” and start cooperating with you… because… it realizes you are now giving it something new to work with (like a new “routine”)! The same is true with your workouts. Your body has a “routine” of working out your big muscle groups. Once you start messing with that routine… your body will start cooperating with you… and… helping you to work out the “right” way! By the way, this is also true with your regular routine. If you have a “bad” day and decide to take the day off… your body will get lazy and start letting you do whatever you want (unless you do enough damage to the “household gods” to make you feel guilty). This is why I said earlier that, if you increase the intensity of your workout too much… you will get injured.
Will also result in a lack of muscle confusion. This is because your body will have no “challenge” to overcome… and… therefore… it will continue to use its “routine” programming. I could go on and on with this subject but, I think I have made my point. The way I described this process is extremely simplified… but… I think it gets the idea across. Remember this: You should only ever add “spice” to your workout… not… make it radically different. Now, let’s talk about how this relates to “ab roller targets”. What I want you to do is to perform the above exercise (adding ab confusion) three times a week. Do it on non-consecutive days. Also, do it early in the morning before you take off for work. This will give your body a “jump start” and get it going before the day begins. You know, I believe most people are walking around all day long with their “muscle gas tanks” empty. This is especially true of office workers. They sit all day long at a desk. Their jobs don’t require much physical activity… so… they end up being inactive most of the time. However, if you give your body a little “jolt” every day… this will help it get going more often… and… work off some of that excess “crap” weighing it down.