Thread: Holding abs tight

I believe it's called keeping a tight core. Personally I don't do it and I think I have a pretty strong core (squats and deads, I would imagine, work it well enough that it's not necessary to hold it in tight). I suppose it's better form to do so, but I'm not really sure how important it is. Perhaps someone more experienced can chime in.

i think you need to be stabilized but dont hold your breath to a point where you pass out or see the purpley flecks in fornt of your eyes.

He's not saying to hold your breath. That's very dangerous and can cause many, many medical problems. Breathing normally is actually a very important part of a good lift. He wants to know if you should hold everything in tight, and I'm pretty sure you're supposed to but I don't really know why that is.

shut up.

Actually for exercises like Squats you should breathe your breath into your abs and distend them out.

ya, pushing them out against your belt gives you a ton of support and can help you lift extra weight. if you wear a belt, that is.

oh ya... b ut dont push to hard youre youll shite your intestines out/get hemroids/get a hernia.

Originally Posted by Rocco32

Actually for exercises like Squats you should breathe your breath into your abs and distend them out.

Originally Posted by ABLQ2

ya, pushing them out against your belt gives you a ton of support and can help you lift extra weight. if you wear a belt, that is.

Consider this article for squats:

...
As this co-contraction takes place, there will be thickening of the rectus abdominis and oblique muscles, just as you would expect when contracting any skeletal muscle. Considering this along with the fact that the diaphragm can force the TVA into an eccentric contraction thus pushing the umbilicus away from the spine (while maintaining segmental stability), would make it appear to the observer or athlete looking in the mirror that the abs are moving out! However, what I have shown here is that in a properly functioning body, the inner unit musculature remains contracted (abs in) while the outer unit contracts to act as a gross stabilizer, pushing the abdominals progressively more outward as the load and need for gross stability increases...

Abs In, or Abs Out?

I always try and hold abs in. Similarly for other exercises, i am . I am not sure how legit articles like those are.

Originally Posted by BulkMeUp

Are you supposed to hold your abs in as tight as possible while doing most exercises (e.g. squats, DL's ..etc) or let your body adjust to how you feel comfortable.

Pushing them out during heavy lifting does give your core more support, but it also extends your waist like a woman who was pregnant and who wants that.

Originally Posted by BulkMeUp

Consider this article for squats:

Abs In, or Abs Out?

I always try and hold abs in. Similarly for other exercises, i am . I am not sure how legit articles like those are.

fuck paul check and his bull shit on the TVA. The TVA is activated when you have load on your back. There was a big name spinal doctor (can't remeber his name) that wrote a book (can't remember the name...I know...I suck) about this stuff. I agree with what he was saying too. If you draw your abs in like Chek advocates, you are automatically forcing the lumbar curve to change position and round out a little bit. Not only can this create improper force on the disks when performing the lift but, the lumbar curve is there and rounded like that to provide staility and for force absorbtion. By taking it away you are setting yourself up for problems. Even when you are sitting there infront of your computer, sit up straight and draw your belly button in and tell me you don't feel that in your lower back...I sure as hell do.

When I am squatting I take a big breathe before sinking my squat to increase thoracic cavity pressure and build a cusion for my spine. I try and stay nice and locked in. I don't intentionally push my abs out, but if you are wearing belt you are going to want to push them out into the belt as the belt is now aiding you in force absorbtion.

Thanks for the explanation, Patrick. Is it the same for other exercises? DL's, Standing Mils, Standing curls.. etc? You hold your abs tight but not pull them in or push out?

Originally Posted by BulkMeUp

Thanks for the explanation, Patrick. Is it the same for other exercises? DL's, Standing Mils, Standing curls.. etc? You hold your abs tight but not pull them in or push out?

If you want a big belly then push them out

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

If you want a big belly then push them out

If you exersize youre transverse abs, and push them out when you do squats, dont worry about a big belly. worry about a sexy-smooth waistline.

Originally Posted by ABLQ2

If you exersize youre transverse abs, and push them out when you do squats, dont worry about a big belly. worry about a sexy-smooth waistline.

Tell that to a woman who has given birth

hahaha

Originally Posted by BulkMeUp

Thanks for the explanation, Patrick. Is it the same for other exercises? DL's, Standing Mils, Standing curls.. etc? You hold your abs tight but not pull them in or push out?

I don't push out of in. I just try and hold tight.