Thread: Help with ab workout?

Here you go

Improving your physique is largely going to be a function of your diet. Of course, your training is important as well.

Focusing on training your abs is not an effective way of improving your overall physique. I recommend that you check out the link in my signature to get your started. I also recommend looking into the book "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe.

Yea, im in a diet right now. I only drink water and eat like fruits/chicken. And im not really looking too have a weightlifter body, just want like abs, a little chest, and some arms. Im trying too do abs now but the video is not building mass anymore i think its just adding endurance. Im not really a dancer so hip hop abs arent for me. Is there anything else? Also would you recommend weighted situps and crunches? I read that its good then I read that its bad.

Originally Posted by juni

Is there anything else?

Originally Posted by Marat

I recommend that you check out the link in my signature to get you started. I also recommend looking into the book "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe.

Saying that you don't want to look like a weightlifter but you want abs and developed arms and chest is a contradiction.

This machine tone your entire body

But if all you want is arms&chest I would go with

I forgot about the abs. The ContourAbs belt will get your abs shredded in no time!

Dude, you're 145lb and 5"11, put some meat on your body. There's nothing "nice" about skinny guys with abs.
Train your chest/triceps, back/biceps, shoulders, work your abs and eat until you are happy with your progress.
You're not going to turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger overnight.

Originally Posted by BillHicksFan

You're not going to turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger overnight.

Well, Arnold also had legs and a back.

Originally Posted by Phineas

Well, Arnold also had legs and a back.

And FDA approved gears

Originally Posted by Phineas

Well, Arnold also had legs and a back.

Yes indeed, I forgot to mention legs/calves.

Like has been said already - training abs won't make them any more visible than they are now. In order to get a visible six pack you need to diet that fat off thats covering them up.

That said, i also agree with these guys that theres nothing worse than a skinny guy with abs. Whether you want to look like a bodybuilder is irrelevant - a bit of muscle looks GOOD and will actually help you get leaner.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Like has been said already - training abs won't make them any more visible than they are now. In order to get a visible six pack you need to diet that fat off thats covering them up.

That said, i also agree with these guys that theres nothing worse than a skinny guy with abs. Whether you want to look like a bodybuilder is irrelevant - a bit of muscle looks GOOD and will actually help you get leaner.

I don't even care about my abs although I do a lot of core strength training. I never did get why people are so worried about it.

Originally Posted by vortrit

I don't even care about my abs although I do a lot of core strength training. I never did get why people are so worried about it.

Ditto. Sure abs are NICE, but so are biscuits and i like biscuits better.

I don't 'get' the endless crunches and situps. I do core work every session these days and i don't go near them or anything like them.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Ditto. Sure abs are NICE, but so are biscuits and i like biscuits better.

I don't 'get' the endless crunches and situps. I do core work every session these days and i don't go near them or anything like them.

You can get more than sufficient core with just from doing squats. I found out my ab routines were lacking after the first few "real" squat sets.

Originally Posted by Life

You can get more than sufficient core with just from doing squats. I found out my ab routines were lacking after the first few "real" squat sets.

Don't get me wrong, my core work consists of the following:


Supramaximal barbell in front squat position - stand with it for time.

BB Military press lockout position - stand for time

Walk with a heavy sandbag on one shoulder for distance, manipulate it in various ways

Ab wheel rollouts for fun


Pretty much everything i do in my regular training/life all over again without the actual movements. Doing various holds is a great way of getting the benefits of heavy lifting without the extra CNS rape, especially when you're lifting aswell.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Don't get me wrong, my core work consists of the following:


Supramaximal barbell in front squat position - stand with it for time.

BB Military press lockout position - stand for time

Walk with a heavy sandbag on one shoulder for distance, manipulate it in various ways

Ab wheel rollouts for fun


Pretty much everything i do in my regular training/life all over again without the actual movements. Doing various holds is a great way of getting the benefits of heavy lifting without the extra CNS rape, especially when you're lifting aswell.

I was replying in general, didn't mean to critique you :P

Originally Posted by Life

I was replying in general, didn't mean to critique you :P

Didn't think you were, just continuing the discussion.

Basically: fuck crunches. Go do something with a heavy weight.

squats
deads
benches
cleans
presses

Fuck core work. It's gay and stupid.

Originally Posted by Gazhole

Didn't think you were, just continuing the discussion.

Basically: fuck crunches. Go do something with a heavy weight.

and then I see your post LOL

...and to really drive home my point to the OP, read this.

http://startingstrength.com/articles...y_rippetoe.pdf

Originally Posted by juggernaut

and then I see your post LOL

You mean holding a heavy barbell and rocking side to side is not good for your spine?

Originally Posted by juggernaut

...and to really drive home my point to the OP, read this.

http://startingstrength.com/articles...y_rippetoe.pdf

This is one of the best articles I've ever read.

Originally Posted by Phineas

This is one of the best articles I've ever read.

I know right? There's a ton of great articles on the site.

Originally Posted by juggernaut

squats
deads
benches
cleans
presses

Fuck core work. It's gay and stupid.

I do like doing planks. It's not so much because I want to workout my abs, but mainly just for fun. I don't think there's anything wrong with working out your core, it's just the repetitiveness of everyone wanting to do it just for the look of it that I think is lame.

Try a walking plank in that case...they're great.