Personal trainer claims to debunk biggest myth about sit-ups, and reveals what to do instead
You can stop doing sit-ups and crunches, hoorah!
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There are many widely-believed health and fitness myths that simply aren’t true.
For example, it’s commonly believed that weights will make you bulk up and carbs will make you fat, neither of which are true.
And one of the most prevalent myths has now been debunked by a personal trainer - apparently sit-ups won’t give you a flat stomach or washboard abs after all.
Celebrity personal trainer Nicola Addison, whose clients include Elle MacPherson and Daisy Lowe, has explained that what you need to do is planks and weights whilst eating a healthy diet. Sounds pretty appealing, right?
The trouble with sit-ups and crunches is that although they may help you tone the muscle on your abdominals, they won’t help you shift the layer of fat round your middle so your muscles will stay hidden.
“Sit-ups unfortunately do not reduce fat from the tummy - as much as you might want to believe it, spot reduction of fat is a myth,” Addison explained to the Mail Online.
Of course, no one needs a flat stomach or a six-pack, but if that’s what you’re after, her advice could help you get there quicker.
Here’s what to do:
The first step is building muscle. “Learn to love weights,” Addison says.
The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, not only when you’re working out but all the time thanks to your boosted base metabolic rate.
Studies have found that frequent weight training can raise your basal metabolic rate by 15 per cent.
Next, you need to start doing “compound workouts” - exercises that use various muscle groups and joints at once.
Once you’ve mastered that, incorporate planks into your regime.
Regular planking will help you build a strong core, strengthen the abdominal wall, protect the back and compress the abdomen.
And finally there’s the disappointing truth that abs are made in the kitchen, and you’ll never be able to out-train a bad diet.
Cut down on processed foods, sugar, salt, saturated and trans fats so as not to undo all your hard work in the gym.
According to Addison, by including more protein in your diet and working on the moves above, “you should start seeing some stomach definition in no time.”
(Another option is to decide not to have abs or a flat stomach and you will be no less of a great human being.)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments