Iron Abs: How to Get Terrific Abdominal Muscles

Getting iron abs isn't easy, but it is possible, providing that you follow a few recommendations. In this article, we'll tell you everything that you need to know.
Iron Abs: How to Get Terrific Abdominal Muscles

Last update: 30 October, 2019

Achieving iron abs is possible! You need to control your diet, replace certain foods, and stick to a workout routine. Don’t become discouraged and expect immediate results. This is one of the most difficult areas of the body to tone, and the process takes time.

Everyone has abdominal muscles. Unfortunately, these aren’t visible in many people because they tend to be hidden behind accumulated fat around the stomach and waist. To this end, we recommend making small changes to your routine, including focussing on proper nutrition, doing regular cardio work, and including specific exercises in your workout routine.

Performing the right exercises will allow you to get your body in shape and eliminate extra pounds. Eventually, your abdominals will appear, and you’ll have the iron abs you want. But, these aren’t the only factors that you’ll have to consider.

In terms of nutrition, toned abs aren’t possible when you simply eat anything you want. You need to stick to a special diet and have the discipline of an athlete. No matter what physical activity you do, you have to burn calories, which means making a physical effort.

Woman doing crunches

Tips for getting iron abs

Whether you’re a man or a woman, iron abs are within your reach if you work at it. You just need the motivation to take care of your body, especially the stomach area. Here’s some advice that will help you to reach your goal.

1. Routine changes

It’s important to find balance in your quest for toned abs. You need to keep two elements in mind, in terms of your daily routine: the content of fat around your abdominal area, and the level of muscular development in your abs.

Remember, men who want ripped abs need to have under 12 percent of body fat. For women, it’s between 17 and 20 percent. Muscle-building exercises and abstaining from certain foods will allow your body fat percentage to stay within the desired range.

2. A proper diet

If you want iron ab muscles, you need to maintain a proper diet. This means reducing your fat consumption and, in particular, avoiding sugar. While you don’t need to adopt a drastic diet, it does need to be healthy and balanced.

To this end, fruits, vegetables, and proteins will become the foundation of your diet. You also need to reduce your intake of carbohydrates and fats. Sugary beverages and alcohol must also be avoided as much as possible, as they can cause bloating.

Woman with bowl of fruit

3. Working out

After making changes to your routine and adopting a healthy diet, you’ll need to embark on a quality workout routine. Achieving the abs you desire is possible if you spend enough time doing cardio. This will help eliminate the fat that covers your abs. Running, swimming, and riding a bike will allow you to reduce your body fat percentage.

Similarly, cardiovascular training should be accompanied by specific exercises that will help you strengthen the different parts of the abdominals. It’s highly important to favor quality over quantity. This means that you don’t need to do an exorbitant number of sit-ups. It means that you need to work your abs as you would any other muscle, with a lower range of repetitions.

4. Breathing

For the majority of exercises, it’s recommended that you exhale during the effort and inhale during the easier part of the movement. However, you can contract your abs more if you retain your breath during abdominal exercises.

Woman breathing

For example, we recommend that you try to exhale after you’ve finished the repetition. Similarly, after completing a full set, hold your posture and contract your abs.

Remember: to have iron abs you need to account for each and every one of these tips. Above all, don’t become discouraged if you don’t see results after a few weeks. The consistency and quality of your workout will make the difference. So keep at it every day, to reach your goal.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.