There's a new revelation that everyone's been talking about lately: stomach vacuuming. The exercise allows individuals to get a flatter stomach without having to do any crunches whatsoever.
It may not be the most attractive thing to see, but it actually works. In fact, fitness fanatics, body builders and even weight lifters use the technique. The routine has been around for years; its effectivity and results are the reason for its growing popularity.
Ariane Hundt, fitness expert and creator of Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp, says: "These exercise DO work because you are holding the abs in tension for an extended period of time."
She adds, "Doing ab exercises alone will never create a six pack. Being able to see the abs is the result of a clean diet, which creates low body fat."
"Females would need to have a body fat lower than 18% to see this kind of definition, no matter how many ab exercises she would do," Hundt continued.
The breathing exercise "strengthens the transverse abdominis - your deepest abdominal muscle - by simply contracting it," as per Cosmopolitan.
BodyBuilding.com gives a step-by-step guide on how to do the technique properly. Individuals will need to stand with their feet as far apart as their shoulders. Hands should be placed on the hips for the starting position.
The individual then slowly inhales air as much as possible, before exhaling as the stomach is being contracted inwards as much as possible and holding the position. "Try to visualize your navel touching your backbone," says BodyBuilding.com.
"One isometric contraction" should last around 20 seconds. Individuals must breathe normally during the 20-second hold. When the duration is too short, some individuals can work their way up to 40-60 seconds of a hold.
Watch the step-by-step videos from BodyBuilding.com according to one's gender below.
However, Kristen from K's Perfect Fitness TV YouTube channel says that the technique can be done in any position: standing, sitting, kneeling or even on one's back.
Watch her do the stomach vacuum below.
