3-Minute Abs: Achieving the Look You've Always Wanted in Only 3 Minutes a Day (Paperback)

Not 5 weeks later and the difference is unbelievable! I still have a way to go to look like Kurt's cover shot, but I am so much tighter and better defined than I have ever been. 36 years and I'm finally happy with the way my abs look - and they'll only get better. This is great!

When you include stretching time you're looking at around 10 minutes or so a day - still chump change when you think of the time you've wasted in the past. The exercises themselves really do only go for three minutes, and as stupid as it may sound, it works. Buy this book - you will not be sorry.

This very slim volume spends most of its space on debunking myths about perfect abs and how to get them. It also stresses the importance of focus. A short chapter addresses nutrition, for as the author points out you may have the strongest abs around, but no one will notice it if it is concealed behind a thick layer of fat. There is also some space given to stretching and warming up. Everything the author has to say is accurate and honest. The only real problem with the book is the tiny section on the actual abdominal workout. He provides 3 workouts, one each for lower, side and upper abs. He advocates doing each one on sequential days and then taking the 4th day off and repeating the cycle. This is the only novel idea in the book and it is not a bad one. Of course you didn't need this book to try it. The only real problem is that it will cause the days of the week you do a particuliar routine or rest to shift constantly, thus making it difficult to remember. Also, if you actually follow his advise you will first do a warm-up and stretch, which will turn your 3 minute workout into a 10-15 workout.

The first workout is for the lower abs and only provides two exercises. I didn't think this was enough and added a couple of my favorits to it.

The second workout for the obliques provides 3 exercise and I also found it lacking, and added some others.

The third workout for the upper abs (which is really the center abs that run from below the ribs to the stomach and are the source of the "six packs") is excellent. It offers six exercises that move from the top to the bottom of abs. I liked this combination a lot and wished that the other routines had been as thoughtful and complete.

I would also have liked to see several alternate routines and a discussion of changing tempo, arm position and leg position for changing the difficulty. Some of these exercise will be too difficult for the out-of-shape beginner, but also way too easy for the more advanced exerciser.The advice to do less won't help someone who can't even do one rep. I would also like to have seen a lot more photographs, he only shows one per exercise.

If you are new to doing abs or at least new to doing them correctly, you will be likely thrilled with the results if you follow his careful directions but eventually will grow bored or at least hit the end of the road in progress. If you already have strong abs and are looking for new ideas on how to continue to challange yourself, this is not it. The only new idea is split your ab workout in separate lower, upper, and side workouts so that you can really focus in on them. For those who want a complete reference, I recommend Stronger Abs and Back : 165 Exercises to Build Your Center of Power by Greg Brittenham (Contributor)& Dean Brittenham which will provide you with enough exercises and knowledge to keep you challanged for years to come.

Simply put with "3-Minute Abs," you work the lower abs on day one (with two exercises), obliques on day two (up to three exercises), and upper abs on day three (up to five different exercises). Take the next day off and start again. Each day you attempt to get through three "rounds" which consist of two different exercises of 15-20 reps apiece. Each round is timed out for a minute, but that is something you have to work up to over time. These exercises ARE intense. In the beginning, I was lucky to get through 1.5 rounds in the allotted 3 minutes (which the author suggests you stick to). These days, I keep the total workout to under 5 minutes a day - figuring maintaining good form is better than trying to "beat the clock."

I am seeing results after only a few weeks. I have a slim build and never had much muscle tone, but I am seeing the signs of the elusive six-pack for the first time in my 30-something years. Perhaps the "secret" is concentrating on only one area of the abs each day... and hitting each area with a variety of positions/angles. This program has made me realize just doing traditional crunches (and ignoring the obliques and lower abs) would never give me "the look" that most people strive for. So be patient, stay motivated (some of the exercises are difficult -- particularly the day one, first exercise "hip raises"), and just do what you can. I am confident you will see results. And with the minimal time commitment it is difficult not to find the time.