Muscles of the Week: Abs

The only women I've seen with abs along with being dedicated to their workout regime, eat completely clean. No additives, preservatives, no alcohol, like never ever ever. Only whole unprocessed foods, some strictly organic...



One of these women at my gym is in her late 30s and has unbelievable abs, and there's also a trainer at my gym who is 26 and in fantastic shape but lacks definition due to not eating clean (her words). I think the proof is in the (lack of) pudding.
(posted on Calorie Count forum, about.com)



I think we can all agree there is a shortage of perfect female abs in the world, so it would be wrong not to celebrate the women whose six-packs make you lick your lips...



This week's Muscles of the Week: the rectus abdominus. 'Abs' to you and me.



Three, and sometimes four, bands of connective tissue called the tendinous intersections traverse the rectus abdominus, which separate it into six or eight distinct muscle bellies, respectively. The appearance of these segments has led to the rectus abdominus also being called the 'six-pack', according to Wikipedia.



And down the middle? Well, that's a band of connective tissue known as the linea alba, or 'white line'. Not the kind of white line that blows away.



Fortunately for us, when her body fat is so low that those six (or eight, as in Oana) muscle bellies get all distinct, she definitely tends to want to show them off...

Here's the beautiful Bella Falconi, her rectus abdominus showing beautiful tendinous intersections and a rather pronounced linea alba. And her dog.



If Bella is new to you, you're welcome but what have you been doing? If she's not, and you want more (and you do, don't you?), check out her website or Instagram.



Ah, yes, the magnificent sub-genre of abs selfies that is the POV...



And the magnificent examples above and below belong to the marvellously named Olivia Vanderslice. Really. That's her name. Now as far as I know 'van der' in Dutch means 'of the', so 'van der slice' could mean something like 'of the cut'! I can't think of a more appropriate name for a woman with such a pronounced rectus abdominus (that linea alba really is something, isn't it?) can you?!



Olivia's on Facebook, as 'dancingdollxoxo', and looks probably a bit too young for a man of my age to be getting worked up about. So, let's move on, shall we?



Back on safer ground with two of the best sets of abs in Europe, FMS Abs Queen Gabriella Bankuti (left) and Italian NABBA legend Federica Ortu (right).



And we stay in Europe to count the hairs along Silvia Sarti's beach-bronzed mid-section. Ready? Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, sette, otto, nove, dieci...

Bravo!



More Silvia up close.



And finally today, NPC figure competitor Kylie Marsh, who recently came to the attention of FMS via an interview on the excellent Sexy Female Abs blog. If we haven't sated you with our selection today, you might want to head there next.

Enjoy!