For guys, having six-pack abs has become a symbol of status, not just fitness. Regardless, a perfect set of abs is hard for a good number of guys to achieve, often regardless of how hard they work out. When designing your best abs workout at home, you need to consider the following factors that many men miss:

Your muscles have memory. Getting in a daily set of rigorous crunches, while it will feel like exercise, will not give you the results you desire. Your muscles are actually quite clever and quickly become accustomed to what you ask of them so it’s key that you change up your entire workout routine, including your abs workout.

You need strength and cardio training too. For maximum impact, your abs workout should be mixed up with resistance and cardio training, three times a week each or more. Mixing up aerobic and anaerobic exercise this way is a must if you desire to burn off the fat covering your abs much faster.

Your workout should make use of all of your abs. It’s important to realize that your abs are separated into four quadrants, and you’ll have to focus on each group for the most effective abs workout routine. A good majority of men overlook the lower abdominals altogether, for example, which are essential to a fully sculpted set of abs.

Don’t assume you know how. In order to avoid injury and pull off your desired results, you’ll also want to make certain that you’re well versed in how to perform every abdominal exercise. You could make an appointment with a personal trainer or go out and pick up a how-to video or magazine to help you learn how to do the best abs workout you can.

One final piece of advice, as with any other new exercise, it’s a good rule of thumb to consult with your physician to be sure it’s alright to get started with your new abs workout at home.