For six-pack abs, ab machines do not work. Many ab machines on the market either don’t target the ab muscles directly or they can cause muscle imbalances that can cause other problems or potential injury. For six-pack abs, we must focus on our diet, and increasing our metabolism.

Some ab machines on the market support the neck and back, not allowing them to train, while doing the exercise. This can cause imbalances as the neck and back will not get stronger, while the abs are getting stronger.

Some ab machines place our body in positions that may cause injury while doing the exercise. Some machines target the hip flexor muscle group rather than the abs.

The nutritional components of what we eat is key to achieving ripped abs. Rather than eating 3 large meals per day, increase the number of meals to 5-6 and eat smaller meals. This way you can keep a constant energy level throughout the day and keep the blood sugar levels steady.

Consuming lean protein and complex carbohydrates allows our body to utilize those calories with greater efficiency and increase fat burning. Also by cutting out sugar snacks, fatty foods, fast foods and carbonated beverages we are better able to control the calories that we eat and keep our body from converting the extra calories that we consume into fat.

Stress makes our body store excess body fat in the belly area. When we are in a stressful situation, our body stores fat in our belly because of the hormone Cortisol, which is released during stress.

Meditation, deep breathing, tai chi and yoga can help us manage our stress levels and help to reduce the storage of excess fat in our belly area.

Ab machines are not the answer to getting ripped abs. Achieving ripped abs means increasing overall metabolism through exercise, watching our diet and decreasing stress in our lives.