Ab Training

ArduousMeister · 02-17-2004, 11:28 AM

I have heard so many different methods of ab training and I am carious about this. I have read that abs are "endurance" muscles so they can take everything you can throw at them, I can see this to an extent. I am carious if they can be trained for mass? I know when I train other muscle groups if I want size I go really heavy and low reps, will this work with abs? I know that in order for abs to really show BF% has to be low but there still has to be something there to show. So if I go lower reps, say 8-10 range, and do crunches (for example) with a plate on my chest will this help to increase the size of my abs.

ArduousMeister · 02-17-2004, 03:35 PM

Is this a dumb question?

HoldDaMayo · 02-17-2004, 03:39 PM

not a dumb question... and i agree... use weight ab moves and lower reps and more rest between workouts to develop the muscles.... although, abs seems to respond well to higher reps too... it's all about the mind/muscle connection, just make sure they're burning and allow some rest between workouts for recovery just like other muscles...

ArduousMeister · 02-17-2004, 04:41 PM

Thanks man, I was just carious on some input. I have always tried to keep the reps high. I just think that my abs needed more "mass" and I was wondering if the same approach would work

Rissole · 02-17-2004, 04:46 PM

I train with P/RR/S so when i do abs i try to stick to the same methods....
eg:Power week i will try to keep reps low by doin cable crunches or hanging crunches and leg raises
Rep range: i do straight fitball crunches and leg raises to get the reps up abit, although if i do them right i dont get above 20 reps for each set
Shock week: I might do side crunches, no rest, Bosu crunches, no rest, leg raises, no rest to holding a hover. (superset altogether)
Always incorporate 2-3 sets of hovers each time you work abs

You can see in my gallery that my abs show quite well and my bf% is pretty high 15-16% at a guess

(although my last caliper test said i was 18.... not that i believe that)

ArduousMeister · 02-17-2004, 05:57 PM

I usually do each body part once a week but I do 1 or 2 ab exercises 2-3 times a week. This is because I have always read and been told that these muscles are "endurance" musles. Should I start training these muscles just like any other muscle groups? Once a week, with 3-4 exercises.

**CowPimp** · 02-17-2004, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ArduousMeister
I usually do each body part once a week but I do 1 or 2 ab exercises 2-3 times a week. This is because I have always read and been told that these muscles are "endurance" musles. Should I start training these muscles just like any other muscle groups? Once a week, with 3-4 exercises.

I am never able to notice any results unless I train my abs a few times per week. I just switched over to doing abs 4 times per week: 3 sets of 2 exercises. I was doing 3 sets of 3 different ab exercises 3 times per week. Some friends of mine train their abs 7 days a week. Also, I like to do supersets and burn the crap out of my abs.

Rissole · 02-17-2004, 07:34 PM

I do mine twice a week....

nmuriqi · 02-17-2004, 09:45 PM

I think that training abs with weight is not a good idea. This is because your stomach should look flat and cut up, to make your X shape more aesthetically pleasing. I've noticed that people who work abs with weights have a thick midsection and i just don't like the way it looks. I go for high reps with no resistance, and i do a bunch of different excersises.

ArduousMeister · 02-17-2004, 10:34 PM

Thanks for all the input guys, I have to say that I have been doing it high rep unweighted for years, I think it is time that I switch things up. I am going to give the low rep weighted method a try and see how my abs respond. I have to say that I don't think I have the risk of being to thick, muscular anyways , through the midsection right now.

By the way Rissole I checked out your gallery and your abs are looking good.

Rissole · 02-17-2004, 11:12 PM

Thanks AM

02-17-2004, 11:28 AM	#1
ArduousMeister Tire fighter ...damn tire Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 265	Ab Training I have heard so many different methods of ab training and I am carious about this. I have read that abs are "endurance" muscles so they can take everything you can throw at them, I can see this to an extent. I am carious if they can be trained for mass? I know when I train other muscle groups if I want size I go really heavy and low reps, will this work with abs? I know that in order for abs to really show BF% has to be low but there still has to be something there to show. So if I go lower reps, say 8-10 range, and do crunches (for example) with a plate on my chest will this help to increase the size of my abs.
	"I've thrown up many times working out, but it's all worth it."- Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron

02-17-2004, 03:35 PM	#2
ArduousMeister Tire fighter ...damn tire Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 265	Is this a dumb question?
	"I've thrown up many times working out, but it's all worth it."- Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron

02-17-2004, 03:39 PM	#3
HoldDaMayo Just call me Mayo Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 1,917 Photos: 4	not a dumb question... and i agree... use weight ab moves and lower reps and more rest between workouts to develop the muscles.... although, abs seems to respond well to higher reps too... it's all about the mind/muscle connection, just make sure they're burning and allow some rest between workouts for recovery just like other muscles...
	Are you kidding me????

02-17-2004, 04:41 PM	#4
ArduousMeister Tire fighter ...damn tire Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 265	Thanks man, I was just carious on some input. I have always tried to keep the reps high. I just think that my abs needed more "mass" and I was wondering if the same approach would work
	"I've thrown up many times working out, but it's all worth it."- Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron

02-17-2004, 04:46 PM	#5
Rissole 2 Samuel 24:24 Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: "OZTRAILYA" :D Posts: 8,289 Photos: 36	I train with P/RR/S so when i do abs i try to stick to the same methods.... eg:Power week i will try to keep reps low by doin cable crunches or hanging crunches and leg raises Rep range: i do straight fitball crunches and leg raises to get the reps up abit, although if i do them right i dont get above 20 reps for each set Shock week: I might do side crunches, no rest, Bosu crunches, no rest, leg raises, no rest to holding a hover. (superset altogether) Always incorporate 2-3 sets of hovers each time you work abs You can see in my gallery that my abs show quite well and my bf% is pretty high 15-16% at a guess (although my last caliper test said i was 18.... not that i believe that)
	My Journal

02-17-2004, 05:57 PM	#6
ArduousMeister Tire fighter ...damn tire Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 265	I usually do each body part once a week but I do 1 or 2 ab exercises 2-3 times a week. This is because I have always read and been told that these muscles are "endurance" musles. Should I start training these muscles just like any other muscle groups? Once a week, with 3-4 exercises.
	"I've thrown up many times working out, but it's all worth it."- Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron

02-17-2004, 07:34 PM	#8
Rissole 2 Samuel 24:24 Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: "OZTRAILYA" :D Posts: 8,289 Photos: 36	I do mine twice a week....
	My Journal

02-17-2004, 09:45 PM	#9
nmuriqi Swelling up Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 210 Photos: 4	I think that training abs with weight is not a good idea. This is because your stomach should look flat and cut up, to make your X shape more aesthetically pleasing. I've noticed that people who work abs with weights have a thick midsection and i just don't like the way it looks. I go for high reps with no resistance, and i do a bunch of different excersises.

02-17-2004, 10:34 PM	#10
ArduousMeister Tire fighter ...damn tire Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 265	Thanks for all the input guys, I have to say that I have been doing it high rep unweighted for years, I think it is time that I switch things up. I am going to give the low rep weighted method a try and see how my abs respond. I have to say that I don't think I have the risk of being to thick, muscular anyways , through the midsection right now. By the way Rissole I checked out your gallery and your abs are looking good.
	"I've thrown up many times working out, but it's all worth it."- Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron

02-17-2004, 11:12 PM	#11
Rissole 2 Samuel 24:24 Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: "OZTRAILYA" :D Posts: 8,289 Photos: 36	Thanks AM
	My Journal

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