How to Tone Abs for a Triathlon

Competing in a triathlon--biking, running, and swimming--places a great demand on your aerobic system. Having muscles that are strong and supple is important and will help you to better compete on race day. Follow these steps to tone your ab muscles for a triathlon.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Eat right and drink lots of water. No matter how much you exercise, eating a good diet--one that is low in fat and doesn't contain excess calories--is important to keep your ab muscles toned.
2. Do sit-ups with a twist. This basic core exercise will help stabilize your body while you are swimming, running and biking. Using a decline board, sit on the floor and do a crunch. Each time you raise up to your knees, add a twist to your upper body. With each repetition, alternate between a left and right twist as you raise up. Start with 10 repetitions of this exercise and build up when you are able to.
3. Assume the same sitting position described in step 2. When you curl up, alternate between touching your left elbow to your right leg and your right elbow to your left leg.
4. Build your abs by doing straight forward crunches. Holding metal plate weights in front of your chest will increase the intensity of this exercise.

Tips & Warnings

• When you train your muscles, you are actually breaking them down so you can build them up again. Therefore, it's a good idea to eat protein. Your body needs this to rebuild, and it will take it from already existing protein stores in your body if you don't consume it.