Despite the huge time difference between the U.
S.
and China, the Beijing games are drawing a large audience, fueled by excitement in swimming and gymnastics.
Experts are offering lots of thoughts and explanations - the spectacle, the pageantry and the intense competition - for the high ratings.
But we know the real reason why so many viewers are watching these Olympics.
ABS of STEEL Admit it: There's something irresistible about men and women with well-defined abdominals and very little clothing.
Recently, the Olympics have showcased athletes with abs of steel and indented obliques.
Not a single pudgy weightlifter has been featured in prime time.
Instead, the network has showcased beach-volleyball players Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh.
Isn't it an interesting coincidence that they're great athletes who just happen to compete in skimpy bikinis? Male synchronized divers with rippling abs and male gymnasts exposing sculpted torsos while changing their tops on the sidelines have also provided fodder for fantasy.
Some might even argue the most amazing thing about the games thus far hasn't been Michael Phelps' quest for a record eight gold medals.
It's been his incredible obliques.
You can have abs of steel, too! Want to look like Michael Phelps? You too could swim five hours a day - or try these abdominal exercises.
A University of San Diego study for the American Council of Exercise has rated these the most effective exercises for defined obliques.
• Captain's chair hanging leg raise: At the gym, head to this low-tech piece of equipment.
Stand and grip handholds to stabilize your upper body.
Press your back against the pad and contract the abs to raise the legs and lift knees towards your chest.
Don't arch the back, and remember to breathe smoothly.
Slowly lower back down and repeat for 12-16 reps.
• Bicycle maneuver: Lie face up on the floor and lace your fingers behind your head.
Bring the knees in toward the chest and lift the shoulder blades off the ground without pulling on the neck.
Straighten the left leg out to about a 45-degree angle while simultaneously turning the upper body to the right, bringing the left elbow toward the right knee.
Switch sides, bringing the right elbow toward the left knee.
Continue alternating sides in a ``pedaling'' motion for 12-16 reps.
• Reverse crunch: Lie on the floor and place hands on the floor or behind the head.
Bring the knees in towards the chest until they're bent to 90 degrees, with feet together or crossed.
Contract the abs to curl the hips off the floor, reaching the legs up toward the ceiling.
Lower and repeat for 12-16 reps.
Use your abs to lift your hips rather than swinging your legs and creating momentum.
• Plank hover: Lie face down on mat resting on the forearms, palms flat on the floor.
Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows.
Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels.
Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air.
Hold for 20 to 60 seconds, lower and repeat for 3-5 reps.
• Vertical leg crunch (see photo): Lie face-up on the floor and extend the legs straight up.
Contract the abs to lift the shoulder blades off the floor, as though reaching your chest toward your feet.
Keep the legs in a fixed position and imagine bringing your belly button toward your spine at the top of the movement.
Lower and repeat for 12-16 repeats.
There you have it.
Oh by the way.
In order to get abs of steel, you're going to have to work very hard both physically and nutritionally.
It won't be easy.
Before you begin, take a B4 picture, set a time goal of say 6 weeks, and then take a picture each week to track your results.
With a consistent effort each week, you'll see great results at the end.
S.
and China, the Beijing games are drawing a large audience, fueled by excitement in swimming and gymnastics.
Experts are offering lots of thoughts and explanations - the spectacle, the pageantry and the intense competition - for the high ratings.
But we know the real reason why so many viewers are watching these Olympics.
ABS of STEEL Admit it: There's something irresistible about men and women with well-defined abdominals and very little clothing.
Recently, the Olympics have showcased athletes with abs of steel and indented obliques.
Not a single pudgy weightlifter has been featured in prime time.
Instead, the network has showcased beach-volleyball players Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh.
Isn't it an interesting coincidence that they're great athletes who just happen to compete in skimpy bikinis? Male synchronized divers with rippling abs and male gymnasts exposing sculpted torsos while changing their tops on the sidelines have also provided fodder for fantasy.
Some might even argue the most amazing thing about the games thus far hasn't been Michael Phelps' quest for a record eight gold medals.
It's been his incredible obliques.
You can have abs of steel, too! Want to look like Michael Phelps? You too could swim five hours a day - or try these abdominal exercises.
A University of San Diego study for the American Council of Exercise has rated these the most effective exercises for defined obliques.
• Captain's chair hanging leg raise: At the gym, head to this low-tech piece of equipment.
Stand and grip handholds to stabilize your upper body.
Press your back against the pad and contract the abs to raise the legs and lift knees towards your chest.
Don't arch the back, and remember to breathe smoothly.
Slowly lower back down and repeat for 12-16 reps.
• Bicycle maneuver: Lie face up on the floor and lace your fingers behind your head.
Bring the knees in toward the chest and lift the shoulder blades off the ground without pulling on the neck.
Straighten the left leg out to about a 45-degree angle while simultaneously turning the upper body to the right, bringing the left elbow toward the right knee.
Switch sides, bringing the right elbow toward the left knee.
Continue alternating sides in a ``pedaling'' motion for 12-16 reps.
• Reverse crunch: Lie on the floor and place hands on the floor or behind the head.
Bring the knees in towards the chest until they're bent to 90 degrees, with feet together or crossed.
Contract the abs to curl the hips off the floor, reaching the legs up toward the ceiling.
Lower and repeat for 12-16 reps.
Use your abs to lift your hips rather than swinging your legs and creating momentum.
• Plank hover: Lie face down on mat resting on the forearms, palms flat on the floor.
Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows.
Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels.
Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air.
Hold for 20 to 60 seconds, lower and repeat for 3-5 reps.
• Vertical leg crunch (see photo): Lie face-up on the floor and extend the legs straight up.
Contract the abs to lift the shoulder blades off the floor, as though reaching your chest toward your feet.
Keep the legs in a fixed position and imagine bringing your belly button toward your spine at the top of the movement.
Lower and repeat for 12-16 repeats.
There you have it.
Oh by the way.
In order to get abs of steel, you're going to have to work very hard both physically and nutritionally.
It won't be easy.
Before you begin, take a B4 picture, set a time goal of say 6 weeks, and then take a picture each week to track your results.
With a consistent effort each week, you'll see great results at the end.