Why six-pack abs should not be one of your resolutions
Warrior II pose by Susan Gill
Every January we flock to gyms to trim down what built up over Christmas and maybe even a few extra pounds.
Those resolutions come with goals of what we interpret as “fit.”
That varies greatly from the gym universe to the yoga world.
And it turns out science is saying the yogis have it right.
See there’s this guy out there, Mike Geary, who makes $1 million a month on “The Truth about Six-Pack Abs.”
That’s how bad people want it. In an interview for FourHourWorkWeek.com, Geary said:
“Working as a personal trainer, I knew that about 90% of the questions I got from clients were always about “six pack abs” or getting a flatter stomach.”
I haven’t done the program, but from what I’ve seen on his site it makes sense. He’s debunking thoughts about what “health” foods really are and gets people to think about lifestyle changes, not a new workout.
He’s also pretty savvy at Internet marketing so he now spends his days skiing and hiking instead of in front of a computer. Though he did spend many years working 15-hour-days to make this happen.
I’m not denying six-pack abs are pretty and at one point in my youth I too had six-pack abs. I also had biceps and thigh muscles enlarging enough to affect my clothing options.
But science has shown there’s no real point.
Outside Magazine’s article this month on 10 biggest health myths addresses the abs debate. Turns out most people do crunches with horrible form causing spine injuries and it doesn’t enhance athletic performance, which Geary agrees with.
Yogies take a different approach. Those abs that show up on the outside aren’t what we care about.
Cobra pose By Susan Gill
What I call the “back abs,” that’s what’s important. Technically called your erectors, the muscles that support your back and what’s in between are what gets weak sitting at a computer all day. That causes problems when we pick up a heavy bag of groceries.
Yoga Journal has a lengthy article on this if you want more details about how those six-pack abs harm your overall movement.
Historic photos don’t show tribal women with firm bellies. They have always been soft. It protects us, so love it. Of course to a limit.
That paunch some of us hate so much also signifies our backs have an appropriate curve. Yes you can slim your abs by tilting your tailbone down. But that takes out the curve in your spine that we need most of the time.
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, protecting your back will do you a lot more good than having a washboard stomach. So spend a few more breaths in plank pose and engaging your core in every pose to do something truly good for yourself.
