Abs Anatomy

The abdominals are composed of four major muscles: the rectus abdominis, the transversus abdominis and the internal and external obliques.

A lying abdominal machine will not give you a flat abs, a seated abdominal machine will not give you a flat stomach and 1,000 crunches per day will not give you a flat stomach.

 

RECTUS ABDOMINIS –

This is the infamous, but improperly-named "six-pack." It's actually an eight-pack. It's a long, thin muscle that runs vertically down the body from the breastbone and fifth, sixth and seventh ribs to the top of the pubic bone. With supportive nutrition and efficient work, it can help create the much desired "ripples" that poke out detailing the "eight-pack," but it can't create a flat stomach. The muscle fibers simply run the wrong way for that to happen.

 

TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS –

The transversus muscle holds your gut tight and flat. It's a thin sheet of muscle running along the sides of the abs, which joins connective tissue behind it. Its fibers run across the stomach, join into the rear area of the abs and wrap around the sides of the body. It attaches along the rib cage and into the back muscles. It's your body's natural corset! When you suck your gut in, you have just used your transversus. This is the only muscle that can help create a flat midsection!

 

INTERNAL and EXTERNAL OBLIQUES –

The internal obliques are diagonal fibers that fan out from the pelvis and ribs to the rear of the "eight-pack." They provide a layer of support over the transversus. The external obliques, also referred to as the "love handles," are composed of fibers that run from the front of the pelvis and "eight-pack" back to the ribs.

 

Flattening the Stomach, Concentrate on TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS
Focussing on the transversus abdominis will flatten your stomach. However, don't forget to work all four areas of the abdominals for maximum effectiveness and core stability.

 

Article extracted from eDiets