Training the abdominal muscles seems to be the subject of more misinformation than any other part of the human anatomy. Gizmos and gadgets allege that they'll give you those coveted "six-pack" abs in a blink of an eye - but very rarely work. But here's the down-to-earth rational way to train your abs to their absolute maximum limit of development using everyday gym equipment.

There is nothing unique about abdominal muscles as far as their training and response to training is concerned. The principles that apply to biceps and triceps apply equally to abs. So the three critical elements of your abs workouts are:

• High-intensity of muscular overload

• Progressive intensity from workout to workout

• Proper spacing of workouts to avoid over-training or under-training

Most people do sit-ups or crunches as an ab exercise. While these are basically good exercises that can satisfy point 1 above, how many people use them in a way that satisfies point 2? Muscles will only develop in response to overload that is above normal. So if you do 20 crunches every day for a year, why would your ab muscles develop beyond that capacity? They don't.

To force new development, you need to increase the intensity. You could add a few crunches every day, but that really just increases duration; there is a better way to get fast results.

Abs exercises proven to work

• Weighted crunches

• Weighted incline sit-ups

• Weighted sit-ups

The best way to do weighted crunches is to lie on the floor with your head close to the low pulley weight stack. Using the rope handle attachment, grasp the ends and pull the cable until it is tight and your hands are resting at the side of your head near your ears. Now contract your ab muscles in a crunch that lifts your shoulders off the floor and draws the weight stack up an inch or two. Choose a weight that is so heavy, you can only do 8 to 12 reps.

If you don't have access to a low pulley, there is a good alternative. You can use the high pulley that is normally used for pull downs. Kneel on the floor or sit in the seat directly under the rope handles that you attach to the high pulley. Lock your legs under the hold down. Pull the handles into position next to your ears, then contract your abdominal muscles into a crunch that raises the weight stack an inch or two. Again, choose a weight that is so heavy, you can only do 8 to 12 reps.

As a further alternative, you can lie on the floor and do a sit-up or crunch while holding a barbell plate against your chest. The limitation of this exercise is that, as you progress in strength, it will not be possible to hold enough plates on your chest safely. But that's a good problem to have.

On each successive workout, shoot for a 5-15 increase, it's time to add more days off between your workouts.