Usher is probably the biggest millennial music star we’ve got. He’s sold millions upon millions of albums and he’s even had a solo album sell over 20 million copies. But Usher isn’t just known as a great singer and musician. In today’s music industry you’ve got to look good, and Raymond has that down pat.
He’s become known for having strong, washboard abs and a great physique that easily draws in the ladies. (Then again, his singing doesn’t hurt.) How does User get the “Hollywood body” that’s required of stars in 2010? It’s a combination of exercise, diet, and rest.
We’ll talk about his workout routine that focuses mainly on his signature abs, but we’ll also talk how he views diet and lifestyle and how they contribute to his fitness and physique. It’s one thing to be Usher and be famous. It’s quite another to look great, but it is a marvel to see someone who’s so famous with some perspective.
The Diet
The simplest quote from Usher is, “If you eat clean, you get better results. Seventy percent of ab work is what you eat.” That’s a pretty big statement from someone who can: A) Afford to eat filet mignon every night, and B) Get lost in the rock and roll lifestyle and drink to his heart’s content.
The dude stays dedicated to the diet plan that works. He consumes a great deal of protein and throws in a carb here and there. Mainly, you’re looking at something like chicken breast or fish with a veggie and a carb. He says he prefers sweet potatoes. That’s a complete meal, and if Usher says that seventy percent of ab work is what you eat then this must work pretty well.
He’s also big on juices,
Usher focuses a lot on his abs, and we’re going to keep up the pace with his ab workout. It’s not something you have to do a lot of in one session, but it’s something you can benefit from doing regularly.
Incline Resistance Ball Plank
Place your resistance ball in front of you. You could easily used an inclined surface instead, just so long as it is elevated. Place your hands on the ball about shoulder-width apart. Get your butt down and push yourself up. Hold this position for 10 seconds and relax. Complete three sets of 10 reps each.
If you want a challenge you can run on a treadmill for 30 seconds and go right back to the plank. This creates a mini-circuit with your plank exercises.
Prone Knee Tuck
Get on all fours and keep your head in line with your spine. With your hands flat on the floor bring your knee in toward the front of your body. Alternating knees, perform three sets of 20 reps each. Again, if you want a challenge, you can do a set, hop onto the treadmill for 30 seconds, and go right back to the knee tucks.
Medicine Ball Push-Up
Get into position for push-ups with a medicine ball in front of you. Place one hand on the ball and one hand on the floor. As you perform each push-up you will roll the ball to your other hand. Alternating hands you will complete three sets of 20 reps each.
Remember that when you change sides with the medicine ball you will always have one hand on the ball and one hand on the floor. This requires a great deal of coordination, but it may be your ticket to improving your coordination and your abs.
Banana Crunch
Lay flat on your belly with your hands and feet slightly off the ground. You want to roll over onto your back and immediately reach up and touch your toes.
Next, you bring your hands and feet back down. Roll back onto your belly and restart the process. Continue this exercise for three sets of 20 reps each. Again, you can run on the treadmill for 30 seconds and go straight back to the crunches.
If you want to up the intensity of the workout you can easily add time to your treadmill runs. Instead of 30 seconds run on the treadmill for one or two minutes.
Give yourself a slight recovery time and go right back to the ab exercises.
If you want you can also do a circuit involving each ab exercise. You could do the incline ball plank, prone knee tuck, medicine ball push-up, and banana in succession. You could then run on the treadmill and repeat the process.
Do the workout that makes the most sense for you, but remember Usher’s admonition. You’ve got to rest, eat clean, and keep a balance in your life. It may not help your singing voice, but it will help your abs!