I'm Jaime Brenkus, Inventor of the Original 8-Minute Abs, Arms, Legs and Buns. AMA!Â

lately I've read that a way to get good abs is to run, do deadlifts and some other exercises that don't directly target your core and minimize the core exercises. What do you think about that advice?

Yes --it's an energy equation ....by putting on lean muscle tissue --you're indirectly working your Abs....because you're burning more calories and lessening body fat ..which makes the Abs come out !!

Hi Jaime -- thanks for doing this! I still pull the 8-min Ab workout video on Youtube up almost every time I do ab workouts, I've probably watched it 1,000 times and every time I can't help but laugh at the funky 90s music, did you pick that out??

Ha ...I did not ---but, it has a memorable porn riff to it ...which you can't help but smile !

I’ve been watching it on and off for 15 years. During the reverse crunch there’s a part where it sounds like you say “we’re not laughing”. I can’t help but chuckle everytime. According to YouTube closed captions you’re saying “we’re not walking”. What are you really saying??

PS thanks for the abs

Ha ..."we're not rocking." We were trying to control the movement pulling back. But "we're not laughing" would have been a lot better :)

How much money did the 8 minute abs and related programs earn after all these years?

Ha ...not enough ......when we did our videos --the internet was in its infant stages. If we would have had the relative success on the original 8 Minute Abs series ..we would have sold 20 million units easily. The original helped millions of people. We had a lot of people exploit the series on Youtube and capitalize on the videos without our knowledge....but, I'm making up for that with new 8 minute workouts and going LIVE in my new app ....www.fitndelicious.com

If I had to do only one type body weight workout a day (whether that be running a mile, doing 100 sit-ups, push-ups, etc.) what exercise would you choose and why?

I struggle with motivation and sometimes it’s just hard to get the energy to complete an entire workout program. If I could focus on only one motion and do that every day until it became a habit, I think it could work out well for myself and others like me.

Thank you!

The larger the part ...the better --if you had only one body weight exercise to perform....it would have to be Squats ....this would put on the most muscle tissue --which you benefit by the "aftermath" of the muscle tissue. Keep your eyes on your prize !!

What's changed most about workout culture since the 90s? And opposite to that, what's a trend that stuck around longer than you thought?

I think strength training has been on equal ground to cardio when it comes to the benefits. And, now that I'll be 61 in a few weeks ...I can tell you --that putting on Muscle is the main issue when it comes to keep a toned body when you get older ...not cardio !!

Trends....Fad Diets are still around :(

You can't go wrong when you eat right !!

So are you in your mid-50's per the introduction or almost 61 as this answer says?

I will be 61 this April .....so I'm ready to put the BOOM back into Boomers !

It's wild how consistently untrustworthy people in the health and fitness business are, isn't it?

I'm gonna go ahead and guess it wasn't some attempt to mislead, but they copied and pasted a bio from 5 years ago

Geez ----I wish I was 55 again ... I'll be 61 in 2 weeks.

Lots of charlatans out there.....who are out just for the money ..and don't care about the validity of their programs ....I couldn't do that --I have always practiced what I preach. Good luck.

i remember when low fat came out so many years ago and I'm losing body fat now eating almost 300g of fat a day

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that was the ultimate fad diet

Big sugar my dude. Good fats are fine (and needed) it’s sugar and complex fats are the fucking worst

Yep ---get rid of the empty calories can't out train a poor diet.

Balance is the key ...You need all calorie substrates ..proteins, fats and carbs

The day After I do sit ups my back hurts . Why? And what to do as an alternative?

I would suggest to do Planks or just basic crunches that keep your lower back on the ground. If you're trying to bring your body all the way up --this puts a lot of stress on the lower back ....

Someone else has already touched on it, but what did you think of the 'seven minute abs' joke in "There's Something About Mary"? https://youtu.be/JB2di69FmhE?t=45

That was classic ....It was a great tribute to the iconic status of the product. Funny, a few years later, I had a chance to meet Harlin Williams -the comedian who played the part in the movie ...he and Ben Stiller ad libbed the whole segment :)

Tips for days when you just don’t feel like working out? I’m having one of those days today. 😞

We all have those. Go take a walk. Or, if you don't want to do that ....focus on your meals that day ..and when you can't expend that energy through exercise ..you won't have to eat as much for energy ....Don't beat yourself up.....

How much money (ballpark if you want) have you made as a result of 8-minute abs?

Not enough .....I will say we sold over 1.5 million copies !!

Dad bod or six pack?

As you age --it gets more difficult to achieve a 6 Pack ...However, it still comes down to physics...if you want those muscles to pop ---you have to make sure you limit the subcutaneous fat under the skin .....which has to be a combination of cardio, resistance and a lean diet. So, most guys stick with the Dad Bod ...it's a lot easier for people who have a real lifestyle !

How do i stop eating junk food? And if you allow a second question, how do i deal with locker room anxiety of being seen naked or almost naked? Thank you!

Nothing tastes as good as lean feels. Allow yourself a little wiggle room. I call them "so what" days. If you have junk food ...come back the next meal with a healthier choice. It's not what you do some of the time that counts ...it's what you do most of the time ! Follow the 80/20 rule ..If what you choose to eat 80 % of the time is healthy ...you're doing great ...keep it up .....the other 20 % probably wont matter much.

I know it may be difficult --but try to be confident with your body ...even if you;re not at goal weight . Most people in that gym locker had to start somewhere ...and probably aren't looking at you as an object of embarrassment ...but are probably so happy that you're making an effort and choice to change your health and well being...and they know what you're going through ...so, they are a sense of encouragement for you.

What’s your favorite cheat meal?

I don't cheat often ....but I keep my diet realistic ....and YES, I can still take my shirt off at the Beach and be proud of my physique at 60 years young. But being Italian...I still gravitate towards a bowl of pasta now and then ...Mangia !!

It all comes down to portions also---don't deprive yourself...if you want a certain food which you feel is decadent ...have it-enjoy it and move on ...pick up your program the next meal, the next day ,etc.....

I get the feeling that if you eat right long enough, you won't end up wanting the "decadent" meal as frequently as some fear

You can't go wrong when you eat right ....Yes --when you see results --the motivation inspires you to eat healthier at most meals.

What are some dangerous AB exercises you see nowadays popularized by fitness influencers/personas?

I think the fitness influencers get in trouble when they get too fancy and try to be too creative......this leads to dangerous ranges of motions ....I still follow ACSM safety protocol. There's only so many ways you can do a "crunch"....however, you can dictate the cadence ..and make the exercises tougher by dictating the challenge with speed and duration .. not by getting too funky. I like Tried and True. By the way ...Abs are made in the kitchen ..not the gym !!

Also why do people say to keep you pelvis still while doing leg lifts?

Always keep good form ...I always follow ACSM guidelines on form ....safety first. the more body parts you have moving --the better the chance of injury.

Do you know John Brenkus? Because

For SportsScience...........

I'm

John Brenkus

I reached out to him a few years back ... He stated we weren't related ...but Brenkus is not a common name ...and he looks like he could be in the family portrait !

How about that - you two do share resemblance lol

Ha ---I thought so too !

He has/had a great program --really interesting.

Depending your age --you'd like our new Tv show on PBS ...it's focused on the Boomers ....but lots of terrific recipes too. Go to www.fitndelicous.com and you can watch all the episodes.

Have you had long breaks from exercise during your career?

Nope --I've stayed consistent. I believe consistency beats intensity any day of the week. I make it a priority....no matter what. It's not easy ..but when things matter to you ...you find the time to make it work ...even if it's just 8 minutes a day. There's 1440 minutes in a day ...you can find a few minutes for yourself ...

I will not let Age change me ...I'll change the way I Age !!!

What is the single best ab workout? And what is your favorite?

Personally I like V ups.

Great one...that's a winner. It hits most parts of the Rectus Abdominis. I like the basic Bicycle ....that engages the entire Ab region and also the Obliques.

I look at the Abs as a battlefield ...Divide and Conquer !! Hit each section equally and you can't go wrong ...but remember ---your fork and spoon are your best pieces of fitness equipment when it comes to the Abs ......A Lean Diet is a must to see those Abs pop through !!

Thanks for the reply! Bicycle's were my second pick!

Diet is definitely my problem. My core is really strong from years and years of exercise and sports. But I'm a big dude that likes to eat.. former offensive lineman. I like to refer to my midsection as fabs.. fat abs.

That's funny. If your goal is to lose a little or a lot the principles stay the same ....you need to eat healthy at most meals --and focus on progression with your diet ..not perfection !

Why did you not start your post with "Hey Gang!"?

Watch the videos ....you'll find out !

What is a must have song in my work out playlist?

Anything that has high energy ...no matter what genre you choose......I kike music that has a little kick to it ...Metallica, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rush .......showing my 1970's roots !!

Makes sense, really. If you were listening to Pink Floyd, you wouldn't even have finished the first track before you're changing out of your workout clothes and having a quick shower.

That's funny .....yes --nothing like working out to your favorite music ...geez any band/artist has a few faster numbers ...even Elvis !!

I recently read a fun fact that said the budget for this video was $0 and it was filmed on the studios front lawn. Is this true?

Also, thanks for changing my life! Watched the video go up millions and millions of views during the pandemic.

Ha...you did your homework. It was a small budget ..and yes it was filmed behind a production studio in Clearwater, Florida. We had one camera.....and did pick up shots. Very low budget. But it resonated because everyone else was touting that you had to do 60 minutes a day of exercise ...no one had that amount of time (and still don't) We figured it out that exercise is accumulative ..a little here ..a little there. It all adds up ....Get Up , Fuel Up ...and Live it Up ....Good luck. Thanks so much for being such a great fan and champion towards exercising. Keep me posted on your success. yes --all of the 8 minute series on Youtube has accumulated over 84 million views.

When I first started your reassurance that being mediocre at first was what reeled me in. There was no pressure and you helped me lose my covid-gut. I owed myself some more context after hearing your voice every day for over a year and did a deep dive haha. You just made my day!

That's terrific.....you just made my day !!!

Keep your eyes on the prize !!

So did you choose that striped onesie or were you told to wear it?!

Funny ---I picked that out ...you can tell that was in the 90's ....couldn't wear that today....although I still fit into it :)

what's better for the body.

Cardio, or strength training?

Depending on your goals and objectives....both can be effective. It's called specificity of exercise.... If you're trying to run a marathon --of course cardio is more important. If you're truing to change your physique ...then adding lean muscle through strength training works better.

I will say as you age....strength training seems to be better for changing your body's composition ...putting on lean muscle reves up that slowing metabolism ...a great thing as you age. Mother nature tends to slow down our body's thermostat --metabolism-- ...so put on more muscle with resistance and you can't go wrong (and it looks good).

Getting fit never gets old!!

If you could do just 01 single type of abs exercise, which one would be? As in, which one is the most "universal"?

I like the basic Bicycle ....that engages the entire Ab region and also the Obliques.

I look at the Abs as a battlefield ...Divide and Conquer !! Hit each section equally and you can't go wrong ...but remember ---your fork and spoon are your best pieces of fitness equipment when it comes to the Abs ......A Lean Diet is a must to see those Abs pop through !!

Thanks everyone for the great questions .....I loved being able to converse with you all. If you have additional questions ...I'll reach back on the site later tonight and try to answer all the remaining questions.

He who has no time for his health today ....will have no health for his time tomorrow ! If you rest you rust !!
Commit to be fit Gang !!!!

How much does diet affect a fitness routine? Also, what kind of diet would be optimal for bulking or keeping fit?

Diet is 80 % of keeping a lean body. Because you can't out train a poor diet. There's not enough hours in a day ---if you're consuming a high calorie diet to work those calories off. And, with time...if your muscle tissue starts to decrease with inactivity --the same calories do't respond the same way in the body anymore ...so, the calories consumed --convert into fat more readily.

Keep Healthy, Fit & Strong by the following Diet : LEAN, CLEAN AND GREEN.

Lean : healthy proteins --chicken, seafood, turkey, beef, pork, tofu, etc...

Clean: Limit the empty calories...the cookies, candy, soda, crackers, ice cream , etc..

Green : Eat any type of vegetables ....they fill you up ...and not out !!

I know that's rudimentary --but if you follow those guidelines --you'll have a good chance at success !!! Good Luck ...keep your eyes on your prize !

How many abs have you seen from people pulling up their shirts and thanking you for the videos?

Ha...I still have people who write to me daily ....and thank me for their daily routines ...and yes people show me their abs all the time .....some are funny and the overweight guys ..say "I've got 24 Minute Abs or I don't have a 6 pack ..I have a keg ."

I see you mentioned squats as maybe the single best exercise, but I have bad knees, so those are difficult. Luckily I’ve been a good/normal/same weight +/-15 pounds (except when I was pregnant twice) since I was 16 & I’ll be 53 soon. In your opinion, what’s the second best exercise movement I could be doing? The PBS links are great! Just yesterday I was thinking I need to get back to stretching more before my 10-12 hour RN shifts because I’m not the young nurse I was decades ago. Thanks for your time. :)

Sorry to hear about your sore knees. It's important to gain strength around the surrounding knee joint...and of course, Quad extensions for the front of the thigh are low impact ..and then to keep balanced ...the Hamstring curl works the back of the knee joint .. both exercises stabilize the joint ..and build strength up so you may live a long and healhty life filled with acitivty.

You'll love the PBS shows ...lots of great recipes in there....

My body doesn't get sore no matter how hard I push myself. Why?

like anything --your body goes through an adaptation phase ...and get's use to a certain routine. That's why most people tell you to change the weights to keep "shocking" the body to see results. Although tat is true ..I'd like to think consistency is more important ...depending on your goals. You can also change the speed,resistance or duration that you workout. On one day --lift a little heavier ...on another day ...lift lighter -more reps. Keep it fresh for yourself ...but, there's no need to be "sore" every time you workout. Consistency is the Key.

Should I continue the 8 minute abs routine just for strength? With my belly, no one will ever see them.

Those Ab exercises will definitely strengthen your core ...but don't forget your other body parts ....putting on lean muscle tissue is the key to keeping a lean physique.

You'll see them ..and you'll be proud of your accomplishment ...but more importantly, having a strong core is terrific for functional fitness.

how do you personally balance cardio and strength training?

Great question...I do the following routine:

Mon, Wedn, Friday---Upper Body

Tues, Thurs, Sat----Lower Body + Sprints

I don't do long aerobic activities.....

This guy really thought it would be a great idea on here for 8...... Minute...... Abs? He'll, you mention 6 minute abs and you end up dead at a truck stop !

Classic spoof ---I laughed my Abs off !!

If I work out using the Ferrari method for 45 minutes, will I come out looking like a Maserati or something? Just trying to get great buns guaranteed.

Ha ...Well if you work out for 45 minutes ---you won't look like a bulky Volvo (nothing wrong with Volvos) ...you'll create a nice sleek look ....as long as your diet is Clean, Lean and Green.

Well, I know one thing ..you won't get a nice butt...sitting on it !! So, I'm glad that you're moving ....If you're not moving ..you're snoozing ...so commit to be fit !!

what would you say is your #1 tip to eating healthy in order to stay fit?

Diet is 80 % of keeping a lean body. Because you can't out train a poor diet. There's not enough hours in a day ---if you're consuming a high calorie diet to work those calories off. And, with time...if your muscle tissue starts to decrease with inactivity --the same calories do't respond the same way in the body anymore ...so, the calories consumed --convert into fat more readily.

Keep Healthy, Fit & Strong by the following Diet : LEAN, CLEAN AND GREEN.

Lean : healthy proteins --chicken, seafood, turkey, beef, pork, tofu, etc...

Clean: Limit the empty calories...the cookies, candy, soda, crackers, ice cream , etc..

Green : Eat any type of vegetables ....they fill you up ...and not out !!

I know that's rudimentary --but if you follow those guidelines --you'll have a good chance at success !!! Good Luck ...keep your eyes on your prize !

Where are your arms, legs, abs and buns?

Ha..the original 8 Minute series had , Abs, Buns, Arms, Legs, and Stretch !

Many years ago, I hurt my neck, it still hurts occasionally to this day, and due to this injury, I cannot do sit-ups. That being the case, what would be the best ab exercise that I could do?

Yes -- I understand --basic sit ups can put a strain on the neck.

Two things:

1. You can cradle your neck with your hands/arms while doing sit ups --making sure you don't yank on the neck. This will give you support.

OR

1. Do planks --where your neck is not activated. You can do these on the wall --on a bench ..or on the ground --is the most challenging.
   

Good luck !

Have you ever thought about.... 7 minute abs?

Naw ...7 minutes will never work : ) It has to be 8 Minutes !!!!