Jillian Michaels Shares 5 Tips for Getting Strong, Toned Abs

Jillian Michaels is a household name in the fitness world.

A renowned life coach and world-recognized fitness expert, Jillian Michaels is a female fitness powerhouse.

Widely known for her TV shows and fitness DVDs, she has also published eight New York Times bestselling books (YouAligned editor pick: The 6 Keys: Unlocking Your Genetic Potential for Ageless Strength, Health and Beauty), and recently launched her My Fitness App.

Her presence in the health and wellness industry has been inspiring and revolutionary.

If you Google “Jillian Michaels,” you will find endless results of workout videos and fitness articles. She has countless ab workouts online and there’s no shortage of photos featuring those chiseled core muscles.
 

We asked Jillian Michaels five questions everyone wants to know when it comes to getting strong, toned abs.

 
Jillian once told Women’s Health that she did a Facebook poll asking which part of the body people struggle with most. The answer? Abs.

That’s why we were so excited for the opportunity to learn all about abs from the fitness icon herself! We asked Jillian Michaels five questions everyone wants to know when it comes to getting strong, toned abs.
 

Photo Credit: Don Flood

Straight From the Source: Jillian Michaels Shares 5 Tips for Getting Strong, Toned Abs

1. What is the number one no-no when it comes to getting stronger abs?

Jillian Michaels: Well, there really isn’t one. There are more powerful choices when it comes to training techniques that will burn off more fat like HIIT and there are better strength training options like body-weight-based functional resistance training to better condition the core.
 

 
 
That said, if there really is one thing to sabotage your abs it’s going to be food-related. No matter how hard you train, if you don’t watch what you are eating, you simply won’t be able to burn off excess fat.
 
The number one offender is overeating. Then consuming alcohol. And the third poor choice is consuming processed sugars and grains.
 

2. What’s your go-to move for strengthening your abs?

Jillian Michaels: I love planks and all variations of them. I find them to be super effective at working the core and they can be done by anyone, any place, anytime, anywhere.

Not sure or need a refresher? Here’s How to Properly Practice Plank Pose
 

3. Name and explain your three favorite at-home ab exercises?

Jillian Michaels:
1. Side Plank Pop-Ups: This is a side plank with a hip dip.

2. Push-Ups: Crazy as this sounds, if you’re strong enough to perform these on your hands and feet, they’re incredible for core strength. It’s essentially a plank that adds in additional, chest, shoulder and triceps work.

3. Hollow Man Hold: Simply place hands under your lower back for added support. This move is incredibly effective for conditioning your lower abdomen.
 

4. Best foods to eat for lean, toned abs? Worst foods to avoid?

Jillian Michaels: I kinda jumped ahead on this one as you can see. The key is really to avoid over-eating. Period. Then alcohol and processed sugars and grains because these foods affect the how and where your body burns and stores fat.
 

The number one offender is overeating. Then consuming alcohol. And the third poor choice is consuming processed sugars and grains.

 
The best foods would be things high in vitamin C because it helps to inhibit cortisol production (which is a hormone that promotes belly fat storage). So kiwi, berries, citrus are good.
 

 
 
Plus, ultimately, caffeine has been shown to help us burn fat. The key is to get it from an organic only source and take it 45 minutes before training to help improve workout performance (thereby burning more calories).
 
Plus it helps to curb appetite. I always pop an Organic Lucky Jack Cold Brew about an hour before I train as a solid pre-workout option.
 

5. If you could only give one piece of advice for chiseled abs, what would it be?

Jillian Michaels: It really is a combo of calorie management, clean foods that are chemical-free and not overly processed, high intensity training to burn body fat, and functional body weight resistance training to condition the muscles so once the fat is burned off, you can see a lovely toned tummy.
 
 

Strong, Toned Abs Inspo From Jillian Michaels

Strong, toned abs are not just for aesthetics. Your core is your power center! Having a strong core makes you feel strong and confident. It also helps protect your low back and prevent injury.

A big YouAligned thank you to Jillian for sharing this awesome advice with our readers!

Want more ab inspiration from Jillian? She has a 4-Week Sexy Abs program in her My Fitness App. The program consists of 18 unique 20-minute workouts that utilize HIIT circuits and core-focused strength exercises to deliver the results you seek.
 

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