Spot reduction is the very popular theory that you can exercise a certain part of your body and lose fat from that area – you can reduce a certain “spot” or part of your body (typically the abs). A frequent example is the thought that if one does crunches or situps, fat will disappear from their stomach (many infomercials mislead people into believing this, e.g. ab lounge). Someone who wants/needs to lose 50lbs and will often ask, what ab exercises can I do to flatten my stomach/get a “six-pack.”
Well let me clear the air and tell you that unfortunately this is not true. It’s a MYTH. It’s not possible. A bicep curl might burn as much fat over your stomach as a situp would. In general, many experts agree that fat loss occurs from the area of the body it was last deposited. Even with considerable energy expenditure, nothing guarantees that fat will be lost in the area exercised including your stomach. Now working a certain area will strengthen that area and help develop the muscle which is still very important but it won’t necessarily make the fat disappear from there so that’s not where most of your focus should be.
So what’s the takeaway. Well, don’t fall into the trap of trying to spot reduce. Focus on creating a caloric deficit by burning more calories than you’re taking in which will reduce your bodyfat all around including your stomach. Focus on exercises that give you the most “Bang for your Buck.” (Hey we might call them “Bang for your Buck” exercises). These would be exercises that work a lot of muscle at one time resulting in lots of calories burned. We all want a six-pack and the great news is you already actually have one! It’s just covered or buried so you just have to lose the layer(s) of fat covering it so it can be seen.
So get to work – your six-pack is ready to be unleashed!!
[...] – bookmarked by 3 members originally found by tiqo on 2008-12-26 Spot Reduction Myth – “I want a six-pack.” http://bodybybuck.com/2008/07/22/spot-reduction-myth-i-want-a-six-pack/ – bookmarked by 1 members [...]
21.01.2009, 8:45 am