Thread: Ab Training

Is this a dumb question?

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...

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 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)

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.

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.

I do mine twice a week....

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.

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.