Molding that "Six Pack"

[TKD_McGee]

I think that the Stomach is the most important part of Martial Arts besides the arms and legs. (Lungs oops!) The Stomach determines whether your fight or flight. A single unprepaired blow to the stomach can end a fight fast or make you a punching bag in sparring. Anyone who has had the wind knocked out of them because of incorrect kipay should know! Go newbies!

 

Therefore, a six pack is important. If your stomach muscles are strong you can take more hits to the stomach. What are some of your ways to get that famous Six Pack without using equipment?

 

 

[YODA]

I assume that by using the term "six pack" you mean a visible[b/] sixpack? Not just strong & conditioned but "there". A good chunky set of visible abs is the sign of the conditioned athlete - way too many lard arses in martial arts these days.

 

For the visible bit, remember....

 

"A six pack is made in the kitchen, not in the gym."

 

For the chunky bit - rememeber that the abs are muscles and respond to strength training in a similar way to other muscles - repping out 100's of crunches for endurance is fine and important - but if you want strong abs you must overload them - get in the gym & work on the ab machines, or add resistance by holding a weight plate on your chest for crunches. You can use a cable machine for crunches too!

 

 

 

 

 

[Jack]

Also for the best results, all muscles must be worked, and from a variety of angles as well. You cant just rely on crunches and leglifts, you need lots of different techniques working at various angles to get that visible 6 pack!

[kicker]

Six packs develope over time even when your young and running around and doing stuff you still get a bit of abs stronger but when your older you do exercise that help you build up your abs so they can be visible and stronger and can take more blow to the stomach. instead of sucking up or squessing them in a fight would just be to much work

 

 

[spinninggumby]

Well, I would have to say that having visible abs doesn't mean that you are in great shape or that you have abs of steel. My abs are very visible yet I hardly work on them at all but that is just becuz I am so scrawny and there is no padding there. My brother's abs are way stronger than mine yet they are not as defined b/c he has some more meat than me although in no way is he fat or out of shape.

[YODA]

Yo Spininggumby

 

What I said was "A good chunky set of visible abs" - not just visible

 

 

[Joecooke007]

I myself have found that expensive gym equipment is just no excuse for killing yourself doing crunches. There are many crunch variations. You can raise your legs to get more resistance. You can tuck and peddle every time that you complete a crunch.

 

 

[AnonymousOne]

Develop your skills so that you are so fast you never get hit.

 

A good martial artist would never get hit by a street fighter they are too fast

 

 

[Jack]

Indeed AnonymousOne, but fighting is an illogical process, violent, quick, unpredictable. We can't rely singlehandedly on our skills of evasion in a dark ally, two or three attackers nearby. Having a strong abdomen can only be a benefit to help you take punches.

 

Also, a strong stomach will help support your back and keep it healthy in old age.

 

Its also a fundamental source for power in your techniques.

 

Of course, you just need a well built abdomen, not one of those 'Beachboy six packs' for that. Ah well, er, looks good for the ladies?

[YODA]

"Ah well, er, looks good for the ladies?"

 

Errrr...... I've been rumbled