Are you working towards getting a flat stomach? Awesome – but how will you know when you get there? What does your ideal flat stomach look like?

If you don’t know where you are going how are you going to get there? This doesn’t just apply to driving in a car or exploring a new destination – this also includes your workouts and your fitness goals. If you don’t know what your ideal flat stomach looks like, then you’ll never know if you have reached your goal!

So, I’ve included some pictures to help you figure out what you are working towards and to help figure out what type of flat stomach workout you’ll need to get there.

Flat Stomach #1 – The Six Pack

Getting this type of flat stomach (true defined six pack abs) is a dedicated process. You must make sure that you follow your flat stomach workout meticulously.  Not skipping a workout or cardio session and making sure that you are eating clean with every meal.  A woman with six pack abs like this is not something I see at the beach every weekend. It requires extreme dedication to your flat stomach workout and diet. Is this the flat stomach for you? If not, take a look at Flat Stomach #2.

Flat Stomach #2

Were six pack abs a little too much for you? How about this option – some definition of abs, but not too much.  You will still have to work hard and make the commitment in the gym to get a flat stomach like this.  Making sure that your diet is consistent with a flat stomach diet.

Flat Stomach #3

Don’t want any definition – just want a flat tummy – well then flat stomach #3 is for you.  As in the first two options you still need to be dedicated to your workout and eating habits, but you might not have to do AS many crunches. A flat stomach workout video, to follow along too, is a great place to start to get you closer to your fitness and flat stomach goals.

Which flat stomach are you working towards?

With all the flat stomach workout information you see online and in magazines it’s hard to figure out what’s the best and most effective way to create a flat stomach workout that will work and get you results.  So I’m going to take the time right now to help you with some basic guidelines to follow to help you get the flat stomach you’ve always wanted.
Interval Training

Stay away from your standard steady state cardio regimen, such as walking or jogging at one speed, as it will not get you optimal fat loss results to get a flat stomach. The most effective flat stomach cardio is Interval Training.

This means you are alternating a certain time period of high intensity work (or sprinting) with a slow intensity work (like a slow jog or walk). This type of interval training will help you burn fat faster and up to 48 hours after your workout.

The best part about this type of workout – you can use it on any cardio machine in the gym – the bike, Treadmill, Elliptical, even the Stair Climber.
Here is an example of what your interval training could look like:

Week 1-3: 15 Seconds Sprint, 45 Seconds Walk/Jog (repeat for 5 minutes)

Week 4-6: 30 Second Sprint, 30 Seconds Walk/Jog (repeat for 10 minutes)

Week 7-10: 1 minute Spring, 1 minute Walk/Jog (repeat for 15-20 minutes)

Workout Program

In order to get flat abs, your workout needs to incorporate weights – not just cardio and crunches.  A full body weight workout is the most effective and efficient type of workout for a flat stomach. This type of weight workout will keep your heart rate elevated, therefore, burning more fat throughout your workout.

Also, when you lift weights you build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more fat you burn, which will get you the flat stomach that you want.

Full body workouts allow you to train every muscle group, three times a week (with a day of rest between each workout).  This type of training promotes muscle growth as well as fast fat burning, due to the increase in fat burning enzymes in your body. The more fat you burn the sooner you have the flat stomach you’ve always wanted.

Below is a sample of a full body workout

A follow along flat stomach workout video.

Diet

The hardest part of any flat stomach workout is the diet. When you think of working out, you don’t really think about what you eat – you are most concerned with what you have to do at the gym. However, a flat stomach diet is a key element in getting the stomach of your dreams.

If you’re post workout attitude about eating sounds like this, “I just worked out so I can eat whatever I want” – will only make it harder for you to get a flat stomach.  A flat stomach diet must consist of protein, healthy fats, and ‘good’ carbohydrates.  Making sure you have the right mixture of these foods in your meals is important to getting a flat stomach.