Welcome to the Get Fit Guys quick and dirty tips to slim down and shape up.

My name is Ben Greenfield. I'm the Get Fit Guy and in this episode you're going to learn about the

hidden ab muscle that will get you a six pack. As you learn in the episode 10 flat stomach alternatives to crunches, I'm not a huge

fan of crunches. I'll link to that episode in the show notes over at quick and dirty tips.com.

The reason why is crunches not only burn a minuscule amount of calories and fat, but they involve

lying on your back and repeatedly bending

and extending at the spine. They're a big culprit when it comes to placing excessive strain

directly on the portion of the low back that has the most nerves and is the most susceptible

to injury and fatigue. So how can you maintain six-pack abs without doing traditional

crunches? Well, one of the keys is a hidden ab muscle that you tend to hear very little about.

So in today's episode, you're going to learn exactly what that ab muscle is and how to work it.

So there's this muscle called the transverse abdominis that acts as a stabilizer

to the middle part of your body. This muscle is actually located right behind your abdominal muscles.

So if you're not familiar with this muscle, you may want to sign up for the military because military

drill sergeants are very aware of how to make the

transverse abdominis sore. The reason drill sergeants love exercises that involve the transverse

abdominis is because when this muscle is strong, your back and your stomach are also strong.

And if you want a strong, stable core that helps six-pack abs form, this muscle

must be strong. As a matter of fact, I spoke with one of my military friends, a guy named Sergeant

Michael Vulcan. And I'll link over to his websites and the show notes over at quick and dirty

tips.com if you want to learn a little bit more about Sergeant Volkan and his

fitness program. And he has this to say about the transverse abdominis. I have to admit, I was doing

...