Too Much or Too Little?

Brak86 · 01-12-2004, 08:23 PM

Hey everyone. Ive always heard that it was ok to train ure abs consecutive days because they heal faster than ure other muscles. Is that true? If so...can i train abs 4 or 5 days a week? Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri?

Randy · 01-12-2004, 08:29 PM

Brak86,

Yes, it is adviseable to work your abs everyday.
Unlike your other muscles, your abs do not require the day recovery. You can train your abs 4-5 days a week, that is fine.

Brak86 · 01-12-2004, 09:28 PM

everyone else agree with this? im not tryin to say that ure advice isnt great randy...but ive heard mixed things..i hope u understand

plouffe · 01-12-2004, 09:42 PM

No, I do not agree with this. 3 times a week max. Everyday is ridiculous. Normally I'm to damn sore to work abdominals 2 consecutive days in a row.

Randy · 01-12-2004, 09:49 PM

plouffe,

Well like many things I guess it depends on the individual. If an indvidual conducts an ultimate and intense ab routine then you are right, then everyday may be to much. When I say everyday I am speaking of an abs workout routine designed for every day.
For me I do 4 sets of 50 (200) stomache crunches a day. That is basically all I do for my abs. So for me, I can do them everyday without any adverse affects. Naturally if your working so hard you're to sore to go the next day, then again as an individual you know you should rest another day.

Brak86 · 01-12-2004, 10:41 PM

my ab exercises consist of 240 reps....consecutive days ok or three days a week? shit im so confused

Premo55 · 01-12-2004, 10:52 PM

I work abs once or twice a week with heavy weights and very slow tempo, 4 sets of cable crunches for 10 reps, 4 sets of dragon flags for 10 reps, 4 sets of twisting cable crunches for 12 reps. Really abs come from the kitchen anyway, they get worked when you do squats, deadlifts, snatches, cleans and presses anyway, the only reason ab training is important is for core strength, which is essential for back health, good posture, safety from injury, etc. I was never an advocate of high rep ab training, there's no point, your abs don't get more/less defined through ab training IMO, it all depends on BF%.

Peace.

Randy · 01-12-2004, 11:00 PM

Brak86,

Yes, consecutive days are ok.. Unlike other body parts that you workout for growth and size. your abs and spare tire are worked to prevent growth and size... You don't need heavy weights to work your abs or spare tire. Basically all you need is slight resistance and higher reps. Due to the different characteristics, your abs and spare do not need a days rest or recovery that you need with your other muscles.

Ok that might have been a lousy explanation, but you can work abs everyday

oaktownboy · 01-12-2004, 11:15 PM

i never work my abs..

Premo55 · 01-12-2004, 11:16 PM

^^ I completely disagree with Randy. Abs should be trained like any other muscle, that is hard and intense. Abs are trained to increase core strength, which will translate into a stronger lower back/core area, and thus prevent injury/give you better lifts because of better core stability and explosiveness. In order for you to gain more strenghth, obviously you must apply progressive and increasing resistance to your abs from week to week. Therefore moderate resistance and light weights are useless in this aspect, because you are not challenging your abs and causing hypertrophy-related strength gains.

Remember that abs, the visual aspect, are obtained from a solid diet and a low body fat percentage, NOT from doing thousands and thousands of crunches from day to day. Abdominal training is important because of the aforementioned necessity for every bodybuilder or athlete to improve core strength and stability.

Your abs are like any muscle. Train them appropriately with challenging resistance and they will reward you with injury prevention, sports-related explosiveness and increased lifts. Give them time to recover, once a week is enough as far as I'm concerned. If you work them properly, the soreness will absolutely keep you out for a few days at least. Also, don't believe the myth that training abs heavy will make your abs bigger and make you appear as though you have a belly. They won't.

Really to me high rep ab training= nonsensical propaganda. People need to stop thinking that certain exercises will give you abs that look a certain way, ie certain exercises will give you an eight pack, etc. Abs are the product of genetics and the discipline to diet and exercise properly. I would go so far as to say that if you want a six pack, ab work is even completely unnecessary. I had done no core work for three months prior to two weeks ago, and have seen no changes in my midsection whatsoever eating maintenance calories after a cut. Do some HIIT, get your diet right, bang out intense workouts in the weight room, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water and you'll have the body you want with patience. Don't overtrain your abs like bodybuilding myths have told you to with thousands of crunches every day, remember that your abs are a stabiliser muscle for most bodybuilding movements so they do indirectly get hit every day in the gym. What purpose is there of stressing them that much every day? Trust me it does not translate into any physiological benefits and is a waste of your time.

Peace.

Randy · 01-12-2004, 11:39 PM

Premo,

I agree with a two of your statements...

1. That exercising abs alone will give you the results your looking for like 6 pack abs. (I hope you weren't thinking that I was implying that, cause I was not. Naturally a large percent relies on diet.)

2. Strong abs help protect your lower back/core area, and prevent injury. (Absolutely, I agree 100 percent).

But Premo, please don't put words in my mouth and try to make it sound like I recommend doing thousands of crunches from day to day to build the perfect abs.(come on now don't exagerate).
I don't agree that you need to train your abs with heavy weights. Maybe it works for you, but I don't think you are any authority on bodybuilding

. For that matter, working heavy weights on abs may work for several. But that doesn't mean that low resistance high reps don't work for others my friend. I just try to stay open minded. I know many successful bodybuilders that use the low resistance method and it clearly works for them.

Arthur2004 · 01-12-2004, 11:39 PM

i am with plouffe on this one...i myself do only 2 times a week

Premo55 · 01-13-2004, 12:01 AM

It works for them how? I've experimented with dieting without any ab work whatsoever and I still got all six abs to show up, so that is proof for me that ab work is unnecessary to achieve abs. As far as ab training 'working' for bodybuilders, for it to 'work' is for it to increase functional core strength, that's the only thing ab work is effective for, NOT for increasing the aesthetic appeal/visibility of the rectus abdominis, so tell me how you're supposed to increase strength with moderate weight? Do you think you'd be able to increase quad strength by doing 50 reps ? Or increase bicep size by doing the same thing? Why then would you train abs for core-specific strength by doing that?

Peace.

Randy · 01-13-2004, 12:57 AM

Premo,

I don't know the scientifics of it all. I just know that many of the experienced body builders that I have communicated with have worked their abs in the way I described. The topic of this thread is not how to obtain six pack abs, it is "can abs be trained on consecutive days?" I think your getting off the subject line here.
I emphasized that "Yes" abs can be trained on consecutive days.

But the key to building 6 pack abs is to lose the body fat.
This is done primarily by cardio and diet. Outside of that then low intensity ab workouts help tighten the muscle and get the blood flowing. I do about 200 daily primarily for that purpose... It makes for a good warmup.

Randy · 01-13-2004, 01:15 AM

Brak86,

As you will find on basically any topic in bodybuilding there are varied opinions... You just have to weigh them all out and make the best decision that works for you.

Here is an excellent ABS article. The article also describes all the benefits of stomach crunches as well.

KILLER ABS! Old School Bodybuilding style

Mr.No · 01-13-2004, 01:54 AM

Yes, a healthy diet and loosing body fat will make your abs visible even without excercising BUT what excercising does is make your 6 pac bigger, wider, and stronger just like excercising any other muscle. It's your call...

Darkkmind · 01-14-2004, 03:07 PM

I usually try to work them out 2-3 times a week. There's no way I ccould work them out everyday because I'm usually sore from the workout the prevous day.

01-12-2004, 08:23 PM	#1
Brak86 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 230	Too Much or Too Little? Hey everyone. Ive always heard that it was ok to train ure abs consecutive days because they heal faster than ure other muscles. Is that true? If so...can i train abs 4 or 5 days a week? Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri? Good, bad, im the guy with the gun-Army of Darkness Weight:147 pounds DB Incline Press: Repping 70 lbs in each hand. Standing curls: Repping 60 lbs (thats all i remember for now!)

01-12-2004, 08:29 PM	#2
Randy Woof! Woof! Woof! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Posts: 7,859 Photos: 4	Brak86, Yes, it is adviseable to work your abs everyday. Unlike your other muscles, your abs do not require the day recovery. You can train your abs 4-5 days a week, that is fine. - O F F I C I A L . L I N K . M A S T E R - Maintains a Reference to all Gopros P/RR/S Links Gopros latest routines: CLICK HERE Lift like a Chicken Look Like a Chicken

01-12-2004, 09:28 PM	#3
Brak86 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 230	everyone else agree with this? im not tryin to say that ure advice isnt great randy...but ive heard mixed things..i hope u understand Good, bad, im the guy with the gun-Army of Darkness Weight:147 pounds DB Incline Press: Repping 70 lbs in each hand. Standing curls: Repping 60 lbs (thats all i remember for now!)

01-12-2004, 09:42 PM	#4
plouffe is bulking Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,786 Photos: 6	No, I do not agree with this. 3 times a week max. Everyday is ridiculous. Normally I'm to damn sore to work abdominals 2 consecutive days in a row. These are my favorite faces : - - - Personal Bests: Bench - 235 Deadlift - 315 X 17 Squat - 315 X 11 40 yrd. - 4.65

01-12-2004, 09:49 PM	#5
Randy Woof! Woof! Woof! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Posts: 7,859 Photos: 4	plouffe, Well like many things I guess it depends on the individual. If an indvidual conducts an ultimate and intense ab routine then you are right, then everyday may be to much. When I say everyday I am speaking of an abs workout routine designed for every day. For me I do 4 sets of 50 (200) stomache crunches a day. That is basically all I do for my abs. So for me, I can do them everyday without any adverse affects. Naturally if your working so hard you're to sore to go the next day, then again as an individual you know you should rest another day. - O F F I C I A L . L I N K . M A S T E R - Maintains a Reference to all Gopros P/RR/S Links Gopros latest routines: CLICK HERE Lift like a Chicken Look Like a Chicken

01-12-2004, 10:41 PM	#6
Brak86 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 230	my ab exercises consist of 240 reps....consecutive days ok or three days a week? shit im so confused Good, bad, im the guy with the gun-Army of Darkness Weight:147 pounds DB Incline Press: Repping 70 lbs in each hand. Standing curls: Repping 60 lbs (thats all i remember for now!)

01-12-2004, 10:52 PM	#7
Premo55 Mic Murderer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 1,059	I work abs once or twice a week with heavy weights and very slow tempo, 4 sets of cable crunches for 10 reps, 4 sets of dragon flags for 10 reps, 4 sets of twisting cable crunches for 12 reps. Really abs come from the kitchen anyway, they get worked when you do squats, deadlifts, snatches, cleans and presses anyway, the only reason ab training is important is for core strength, which is essential for back health, good posture, safety from injury, etc. I was never an advocate of high rep ab training, there's no point, your abs don't get more/less defined through ab training IMO, it all depends on BF%. Peace. T DOT O.

01-12-2004, 11:00 PM	#8
Randy Woof! Woof! Woof! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Posts: 7,859 Photos: 4	Brak86, Yes, consecutive days are ok.. Unlike other body parts that you workout for growth and size. your abs and spare tire are worked to prevent growth and size... You don't need heavy weights to work your abs or spare tire. Basically all you need is slight resistance and higher reps. Due to the different characteristics, your abs and spare do not need a days rest or recovery that you need with your other muscles. Ok that might have been a lousy explanation, but you can work abs everyday - O F F I C I A L . L I N K . M A S T E R - Maintains a Reference to all Gopros P/RR/S Links Gopros latest routines: CLICK HERE Lift like a Chicken Look Like a Chicken

01-12-2004, 11:15 PM	#9
oaktownboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: smog and fog Posts: 4,428	i never work my abs.. Chuck Norris once lost his keys and couldn't remember where he put them. So he tortured himself for half an hour until he gave up their location.

01-12-2004, 11:16 PM	#10
Premo55 Mic Murderer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 1,059	^^ I completely disagree with Randy. Abs should be trained like any other muscle, that is hard and intense. Abs are trained to increase core strength, which will translate into a stronger lower back/core area, and thus prevent injury/give you better lifts because of better core stability and explosiveness. In order for you to gain more strenghth, obviously you must apply progressive and increasing resistance to your abs from week to week. Therefore moderate resistance and light weights are useless in this aspect, because you are not challenging your abs and causing hypertrophy-related strength gains. Remember that abs, the visual aspect, are obtained from a solid diet and a low body fat percentage, NOT from doing thousands and thousands of crunches from day to day. Abdominal training is important because of the aforementioned necessity for every bodybuilder or athlete to improve core strength and stability. Your abs are like any muscle. Train them appropriately with challenging resistance and they will reward you with injury prevention, sports-related explosiveness and increased lifts. Give them time to recover, once a week is enough as far as I'm concerned. If you work them properly, the soreness will absolutely keep you out for a few days at least. Also, don't believe the myth that training abs heavy will make your abs bigger and make you appear as though you have a belly. They won't. Really to me high rep ab training= nonsensical propaganda. People need to stop thinking that certain exercises will give you abs that look a certain way, ie certain exercises will give you an eight pack, etc. Abs are the product of genetics and the discipline to diet and exercise properly. I would go so far as to say that if you want a six pack, ab work is even completely unnecessary. I had done no core work for three months prior to two weeks ago, and have seen no changes in my midsection whatsoever eating maintenance calories after a cut. Do some HIIT, get your diet right, bang out intense workouts in the weight room, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water and you'll have the body you want with patience. Don't overtrain your abs like bodybuilding myths have told you to with thousands of crunches every day, remember that your abs are a stabiliser muscle for most bodybuilding movements so they do indirectly get hit every day in the gym. What purpose is there of stressing them that much every day? Trust me it does not translate into any physiological benefits and is a waste of your time. Peace. T DOT O.

01-12-2004, 11:39 PM	#11
Randy Woof! Woof! Woof! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Posts: 7,859 Photos: 4	Premo, I agree with a two of your statements... 1. That exercising abs alone will give you the results your looking for like 6 pack abs. (I hope you weren't thinking that I was implying that, cause I was not. Naturally a large percent relies on diet.) 2. Strong abs help protect your lower back/core area, and prevent injury. (Absolutely, I agree 100 percent). But Premo, please don't put words in my mouth and try to make it sound like I recommend doing thousands of crunches from day to day to build the perfect abs.(come on now don't exagerate). I don't agree that you need to train your abs with heavy weights. Maybe it works for you, but I don't think you are any authority on bodybuilding . For that matter, working heavy weights on abs may work for several. But that doesn't mean that low resistance high reps don't work for others my friend. I just try to stay open minded. I know many successful bodybuilders that use the low resistance method and it clearly works for them. - O F F I C I A L . L I N K . M A S T E R - Maintains a Reference to all Gopros P/RR/S Links Gopros latest routines: CLICK HERE Lift like a Chicken Look Like a Chicken

01-12-2004, 11:39 PM	#12
Arthur2004 Phat Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 265 Photos: 8	i am with plouffe on this one...i myself do only 2 times a week Kool Pic i took with my Camera of me flexing

01-13-2004, 12:01 AM	#13
Premo55 Mic Murderer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 1,059	It works for them how? I've experimented with dieting without any ab work whatsoever and I still got all six abs to show up, so that is proof for me that ab work is unnecessary to achieve abs. As far as ab training 'working' for bodybuilders, for it to 'work' is for it to increase functional core strength, that's the only thing ab work is effective for, NOT for increasing the aesthetic appeal/visibility of the rectus abdominis, so tell me how you're supposed to increase strength with moderate weight? Do you think you'd be able to increase quad strength by doing 50 reps ? Or increase bicep size by doing the same thing? Why then would you train abs for core-specific strength by doing that? Peace. T DOT O.

01-13-2004, 12:57 AM	#14
Randy Woof! Woof! Woof! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Posts: 7,859 Photos: 4	Premo, I don't know the scientifics of it all. I just know that many of the experienced body builders that I have communicated with have worked their abs in the way I described. The topic of this thread is not how to obtain six pack abs, it is "can abs be trained on consecutive days?" I think your getting off the subject line here. I emphasized that "Yes" abs can be trained on consecutive days. But the key to building 6 pack abs is to lose the body fat. This is done primarily by cardio and diet. Outside of that then low intensity ab workouts help tighten the muscle and get the blood flowing. I do about 200 daily primarily for that purpose... It makes for a good warmup. - O F F I C I A L . L I N K . M A S T E R - Maintains a Reference to all Gopros P/RR/S Links Gopros latest routines: CLICK HERE Lift like a Chicken Look Like a Chicken

01-13-2004, 01:15 AM	#15
Randy Woof! Woof! Woof! Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Posts: 7,859 Photos: 4	Brak86, As you will find on basically any topic in bodybuilding there are varied opinions... You just have to weigh them all out and make the best decision that works for you. Here is an excellent ABS article. The article also describes all the benefits of stomach crunches as well. KILLER ABS! Old School Bodybuilding style - O F F I C I A L . L I N K . M A S T E R - Maintains a Reference to all Gopros P/RR/S Links Gopros latest routines: CLICK HERE Lift like a Chicken Look Like a Chicken

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-13-2004, 01:54 AM	#16
Mr.No Progressing... Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the beach Posts: 73	Yes, a healthy diet and loosing body fat will make your abs visible even without excercising BUT what excercising does is make your 6 pac bigger, wider, and stronger just like excercising any other muscle. It's your call...

01-14-2004, 03:07 PM	#17
Darkkmind Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 161	I usually try to work them out 2-3 times a week. There's no way I ccould work them out everyday because I'm usually sore from the workout the prevous day. *28 Days - 6 Hours - 42 Minutes - 12 Seconds*