So many people have abs, you just can't see them. You may go to the gym and do cardio to burn off that layer of fat that you so desperately want to lose, you just never seem to get anywhere. You get frustrated and stop going to the gym until another wave of motivation hits and you repeat the cycle. This is the most common way people work out - when they don't see the results they want they fall into a sort of depression only to drag themselves out and repeat the cycle.

Fitness is a goal oriented activity. To reach your goal you have to see results. Everyone's goal is different: fitting into that pair of jeans, getting bigger muscles, or being attractive to the opposite sex. These are all external goals that can not last. One of the most important aspects of fitness is having the right mental mindset that you are doing this for your own health and happiness - an internal goal.

The Role of Cardio in Six Pack Abs

Cardio is my least favorite thing to do at a gym. I find it to be boring - I could be outside jogging or mountain biking, enjoying the fresh mountain air and views, but I'm running in place. As boring as doing cardio at a gym is to me I know I have to do it. I know that the defined, ripped appearance that I desire is dependent on cardio.

Doing cardio properly entails buying one piece of equipment - a heart rate monitor. Your body is a machine and there are optimal levels to operate it at for different goals. We can measure these optimal levels by monitoring our heart rates. The equation to finding your proper heart rate is as follows: 220-Age = Max Heart Rate Multiply by .65, .75, and .85 The range between .65 and .75 is the heart rate zone most conducive to burning fat. The range between .75 and .85 is the heart rate zone most conducive to improving cardiovascular health.

An example: I am a 30 year old man. I take 220-30 and get 190 - this is my maximum heartrate and I do not want to exceed it when working out. I multiply 190 by .65 to get 124. This is the lower range of my fat burning zone. Then I multiply 190 by .75 to get 143. This is the upper range of my fat burning zone and the lower range of my cardiovascular training zone. Finally I multiply 190 by .85 to get 162. This is the upper range of my cardiovascular training zone.

For a 30 year old:

Fat Burning Zone: 124BPM to 143BPM

Cariovascular Training Zone: 143BPM to 162 BPM

Advanced Training Zone (for athletes etc): 162 BPM to 190BPM

If you have a layer of fat you want to lose you need to be working out in the fat burning zone. The basic amount of time is for 45min. Burning fat requires that you work out at a lower intensity for a longer period of time. Cardiovascular health requires that you work at a higher intensity for a shorter period of time - around 20 to 30 minutes will suffice for most people. The optimal time to burn fat is right after you wake up when your blood sugar is the lowest. This will force your body to burn fat stores for energy. It may not be easy to roll out of bed and do 45 minutes of cardio, but it will help you see the results you want.

Now you know how to lose the fat that is covering that 6 pack you would love to show off to the world. You only have to find the motivation to DO IT!