A common question I get asked is, how do I achieve muscle definition and gets my abdominals toned?

My answer to them was basically as follows.  Muscle definition whether it's for your arms or legs, or abdominals works the same way. It is a function of (1) muscle size and (2) percentage of fat. Muscle size is simple enough - size of the muscle. Percentage fat is percentage of fat on your whole body and not only around the mid section.

You often hear of people saying that you can train towards achieve muscle definition as if the muscles needs to be smaller to achieve tone. Rubbish.

So what does a toning abs program looks like and how would one approach the design of his own personal program ?

Well for one, here's an example of how I would design a program for someone else.  I have used various methods in the past and have found some of them to be effective. If I don't include some exercises you are expecting then it's either I have tried them before and they didn't work or that I haven't got around to writing about that particular exercise yet.

Toning abs workouts should adopt the following guidelines :-

(1) It should be as low intensity as possible.  Treadmills, power walking, light jogging, light running, swimming and biking are good exercises to achieve this.

(2) Exercise about 3 or 4 times a week but not more otherwise you may not be able to recover fully.

(3) Remember that you are trying to lose as much calories as you can. Keep up your nutrition but try and decrease the total daily calories as much as possible without affecting your muscle building training.  If you can, cut back on any high intensity muscle building sessions while you tone your abs.

(4) Incorporate some of the abs exercises like waist twisting, side bends and do more reps and/or sets.  Remember it should be completely low intensity work.