Getting fabulous looking abs that you can flaunt in a low waist jeans and a figure hugging t-shirt is every girl’s dream. And, when it comes to guys, they want those intricately sculpted six pack abs that will have girls drooling over them. Therefore, it’s no great surprise that an overwhelming majority of fitness freaks concentrate on abdominal exercises. 

However, there are a whole bunch of myths that surround abdominal exercises and before you place your faith in them; you must separate fact from fiction.

Myth: To Get Perfect Abs I need to do some “spot reduction” exercises.

There is nothing known as “spot reduction.” Anybody who tells you that doesn’t know what he is talking about. There are no abdominal exercises that can isolate the muscles of the abs and make you lose fat from just that section. Any exercise you do will have an effect on your overall body. 

Myth: Tons of crunches will get me rock hard abs.

For some reason, crunches are hailed as the king among abdominal exercises. People believe that doing crunches nonstop for the best part of an hour will guarantee well toned abs. Wrong! Crunches by themselves cannot give you great abs. You need a combination of full body resistance training, cardio workout, and abdominal exercises to achieve the desired effect. 

Myth: You have to work your abs every single day to get flat abs

Again, not true! The muscles of your abs need rest and recovery. It is only during rest that they build. Whatever workout routine you have – cardio, resistance or abdominal exercises, don’t overdo it.  If you train 3-5 days a work regularly, you can get sleek and strong abs.

We aren’t saying that you should give up abdominal exercises all together and get done to pumping weights or jogging unreasonable distances to burn fat from your midriff. Ab exercises are important, but they need to be part of a well planned systematic workout routine.