Looking at the hip-hop artists on TV baring their naked tops out makes you wonder how they got such rock hard abs. It seems impossible to get the look what with so much flab now bothering you on the waistline. If you can't get the six-pack, at least achieve a flat stomach - that, you tell yourself.

If you would like to get a bit closer to that thought, you should start burning calories through exercises and you should start minding what you eat. If you think you can do that then you are one step into the project. If you think you can't then you will just forever wonder how good you will look like sporting rock hard abs.

Here are some abs training tips you can look into if you are going to start one soon:

- Go for abdominal exercises with steps that squeeze the ribcage and pelvis. You have to know the correct form of this exercise so it may be best to see it done in on video or have a trainer demonstrate the exercises for you.

- Keep the stomach tight during exercises and when you are not doing exercises. When you sit down don't let your stomach get loose. Keep it in and tight while still breathing normally. This could also help keep the abs flatter. It will be a bit difficult to get used to at first but once your system gets the hang of it, you will be able to do it even unconsciously.

- Aim for muscle failure by the 20th rep. The intensity of the abs exercises should be that high that by the time you get to the 20th count your muscles are already complaining. If you don't get to this state you are not doing the exercise with the right intensity. Try adding some weights to increase the intensity so that you will reach the muscle failure as recommended.

- You can do extra workout with your abs because the muscles in that area are smaller so you can train them more frequently. But, do not overdo it and rest for at least 5 days between each session. Although you can check if your body can handle a shorter interval.

- Make use of different abs exercises so you have variety and a more balance training for your rock hard abs.

Here are a couple of exercises you can do to train your abdominal muscles:

The Oblique Exercises

External oblique exercises target the torso. Directly using this exercise will require you to lie on each side of your torso to twist it. The torso can be trained indirectly though, through other exercises.

Crunches with a Twist

Lie on the floor like you would when you do your crunches. Curl the body up same way as with the crunches. The difference with this one is you twist to the side when you curl up. Twist to the left on count 1 and twist to the right on count 2 or the other way around. Do the twisting in such a way that you attempt to let your elbow touch the opposite knee but without actually letting them touch.

These tips and exercises can help you to get close to that rock hard abs you've always wanted to have.