I still have belly fat, obviously if it's gone, it's easier for abs to appear hard. One thing I notice is when I have my belt and pants up to my belly button or close to it, while driving it feels as if it's a "strap" for the abs and I seem to be able to "squeeze" my abs while driving as if a corset? Is this why some people (mostly girls) wear a corset to tighten up their abs and or to feel as if they can squeeze their abs while doing activities other than working out? Should I be having my pants with belt up to belly button area? I usually have them at hip area so not too high.
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SIED Moderators: Genetic Freak | Serotonin101
what could harden my abs?
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GrymReefer
Bluelight Crew
Number one thing to harden your abs is to work the muscle. Think of your abdominal area as a giant slab of muscle. There is no real "upper" or "lower" abs. The tendon insertions is what creates that 6-pack/8-pack/ (4-pack with some people) illusion.
Just work the muscle just as any other muscle. You don't need god awful amounts of weight to overload it, but you don't need to focus on the dreaded crunches. There is more to the abdominal mechanics than pulling the torso up from a laying position.
Genetics dictates the musculature of your abdominals.
Corsets? I believe that goes back to a time long ago where a small waist was a desired thing amongst woman (especially royals) I watched something on "Rippley's Believe It Or Not" about a woman using a corset for so long it altered the structure of her abdominal region.
I don't believe the area at which the belt is located would have any impact. In reference to weightlifting with belts, the transverse abdominal muscle is the body's natural belt and a key component of core strength. Using a belt consistently during weight exercises without building a natural stability in the core could make you more prone to injury.
Just work the muscle just as any other muscle. You don't need god awful amounts of weight to overload it, but you don't need to focus on the dreaded crunches. There is more to the abdominal mechanics than pulling the torso up from a laying position.
Genetics dictates the musculature of your abdominals.
Corsets? I believe that goes back to a time long ago where a small waist was a desired thing amongst woman (especially royals) I watched something on "Rippley's Believe It Or Not" about a woman using a corset for so long it altered the structure of her abdominal region.
I don't believe the area at which the belt is located would have any impact. In reference to weightlifting with belts, the transverse abdominal muscle is the body's natural belt and a key component of core strength. Using a belt consistently during weight exercises without building a natural stability in the core could make you more prone to injury.
^^^ the idea of wearing a corset or "squeem" I believe it's called for men can work in two different ways.
1. Redistribution of sub q water in the region.
2. The added warmth would increase blood flow to the fat in this area which SHOULD allow for more to be oxidized.
Will these pathways be rewarding for the regular gym rat? No.
But if one were competing it could be that extra 0.1% to push you into better ranking/winning the show.
1. Redistribution of sub q water in the region.
2. The added warmth would increase blood flow to the fat in this area which SHOULD allow for more to be oxidized.
Will these pathways be rewarding for the regular gym rat? No.
But if one were competing it could be that extra 0.1% to push you into better ranking/winning the show.
GrymReefer
Bluelight Crew
That is pretty interesting I never really thought that actually worked. So the belt would promote a thermogenic state within the abdominal region? That sounds almost like a hocus pocus spot reduction method when the individual can't exactly control where fatty acid oxidation occurs. Genetics dictates the storage and utilization of adipose tissue. Definitely something I would have to read up on.
Fatty tissue in general has less blood flow. Sleep with a fat chick and you'll notice the areas with the most fat are cooler than the rest of her body. Ideally the body views fat as not metabolically active thus why it's the preferred energy store vs muscle which requires additional energy to maintain. Increasing blood flow would increase the oxidation though to what extent and how significant is beyond me. Like I stated, it's probably such a minimal difference that only those competing at a high level would benefit.
I will admit I wore a squeem for a few weeks and noticed a tighter core, as in everything was less in volume but I didn't see reduction in fat. I think it just compacted it lol.
I will admit I wore a squeem for a few weeks and noticed a tighter core, as in everything was less in volume but I didn't see reduction in fat. I think it just compacted it lol.
heerutosen
Bluelighter
This + a caloric deficit = Hard/Sharp/Grainy Abs
Training will help a little, but diet is the most important.
GrymReefer
Bluelight Crew
Lol I do appreciate a pleasantly plump lady every now and then, but I have not paid that much attention. Definitely something I'll look into next time
Sorry I have to agree lol. How about the tried and tested method of building up hard abdominal muscles through exercise, and dieting down to reveal them beneath the blubber?
Lol it was more or less stating it's useless for like 99% of people. Physique guys use them, I got one for free so I figured just see what it'd do.Sorry I have to agree lol. How about the tried and tested method of building up hard abdominal muscles through exercise, and dieting down to reveal them beneath the blubber?
Ha yeah I've seen quite a lot of physique guys using them. But they still have to train abs and diet well to get them hard and visible. I think some people do confuse using them with achieving a nice set of rippling abs lol.
I was just feeling as if having a belt on high on my waist feel as if my abs have something to "hold on to" as if a strap. Having a strap makes one do deadlifts better. I guess in a similar fashion having that belt or "strap" around my upper waist feel as if I'm "crunching" even when driving.
GrymReefer
Bluelight Crew
a belt doesn't exactly make you deadlift better it helps compensate for lack of core strengthor prevent an injury due to a heavy load and being unable to maintain a neutral spine.
Powerlifting competitors wear them for injury prevention. Dudes just lifting 225 in the gym on deadlift with a belt do it because they haven't developed the stability in their core or believe the belt is necessary for any compound lift.
Powerlifting competitors wear them for injury prevention. Dudes just lifting 225 in the gym on deadlift with a belt do it because they haven't developed the stability in their core or believe the belt is necessary for any compound lift.
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Or those light weight dudes want to just keep their unsightly gut pulled in lol
GrymReefer
Bluelight Crew
I heard plastic wrap works very well in those situations hahaha.
On point. I don't wear belt and I'm deadlifting over 400 pounds...
I'm 145 pounds...no gear. Did gear before but I like my hair and skin. May do low dose only in the future.
This may be off topic but I'm curious what vitamins, minerals, amino acids could help with skin and hair?
I read methionine and cysteine is great for hair and biotin too. Is cat's claw any good for skin other than vitamin E?
I'm 145 pounds...no gear. Did gear before but I like my hair and skin. May do low dose only in the future.
This may be off topic but I'm curious what vitamins, minerals, amino acids could help with skin and hair?
I read methionine and cysteine is great for hair and biotin too. Is cat's claw any good for skin other than vitamin E?
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GrymReefer
Bluelight Crew
That is very impressive!!
I would have to look up about hair specifically because I do not have any issues in that department and thus have never dedicated anytime to learn about what affects hair.
In terms of skin I personally take vitamin B5, Zinc picolinate, Copper L-Aspartate 1% and Vitamin C. However, until you do the research on your own I do not recommend supplementing with copper due to the high toxicity presented if one would incorrectly give themselves a dangerous dose. With that in mind I will put up my dosing that I use on daily and when I use during the sporadic acne outbreaks.....
This is MY personal dosing. You need to read up before you begin experimenting with your own protocol that suits you. My suggestion is to try the supplements mentioned by themselves for 8-12 weeks before you begin combining things. It is hard to figure out which one is affecting you when you have not gotten the experience as to how each one affects you individually.
Vitamin B5- 2,000mg ED: I don't split the dosage (During acne: 5,000mg ED...2.5G Morning-2.5G Night) Reasoning for the splitting during high doses is due to the gastrointestinal discomfort associated with such a high quantity.
Zinc Picolinate- 100mg ED: regardless of what is going on. Do not take Zinc on an empty stomach!! You will regret it. I wouldn't recommend over 100mg. Zinc can be very suppressive to the immune system. Too much zinc can also inhibit the absorption of iron and copper.
Copper L-Aspartate 1%- 100mg ED: regardless of what is going on. I weigh out my dosages on a scale capable of measuring 1/1000 of a gram. You must be precise. Copper can become very deadly.
Vitamin C- 4,000mg ED: I personally take it all at once in the morning. Some people report discomfort, but it never bothers me. (5,000mg-7,500mg if I am very ill or I recognize I'm coming down with something significant)
EDIT: Thought I'd add a little to just explain the reasoning behind a few of the combinations....
1. Zinc and Copper supplementation go hand-in-hand. One depletes the other. I also make sure I get plenty of minerals from my own diet...
2. Vitamin C can lower cortisol levels. I wouldn't say cortisol is responsible for bacterial based acne, but definitely can help mitigate acne brought upon by hormonal imbalances/fluctuations. Also good for your gums!
3. Pantothenic acid (B5) helps with the efficacy of lipid metabolism and can be an factor in successful healing.
4. This one is a little more anecdotal, but I've noticed an extreme reduction in how oily my skin is when taking B5 on a consistent basis.
5. "...Although topical zinc sulfate was not effective and caused significant local irritation, the efficacy of topical antiacne medications containing zinc acetate or octoate with or without erythromycin is either equal or superior to erythromycin, tetracycline, or clindamycin used alone in reducing the severity of acne and the number of lesions.." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120804/
^Zinc has been well studied on its ability to be anti-inflammatory and help reduce lesions associated with acne vulgaris. That study also talks about Zinc's ability to modulate the 5au-reductase enzyme and almost act as an "antiandrogen"
"..... Zinc has been found to possess antiandrogen action and it modulates 5α-reductase type 1 and 2 activity [3]. Although it was less effective as compared to topical 5% minoxidil lotion, a considerable hair growth was observed with topical zinc pyrithione 1% solution in androgenic alopecia in a randomized, investigator-blinded, parallel-group clinical study..."
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