Thread: Question about Abs???

If you run and lift weights for your entire body then you are getting a good abb workout already. You might do them once or twice a week in isolation movements if you feel the need....just remember weights make you big so doing crunches with a 45lb plate will not make your stomach smaller.......do high reps no weight and do not push your stomach out on abb work or any weight lifting exercises.

Is doing abs everyday or every other day a bad idea?

train abs like you would any other muscle. there is no need to do 500 sit ups 5 days a week. I do abs once a week, maybe two times.

Originally Posted by Biggzy

Is doing abs everyday or every other day a bad idea?

it really depends on the level of intensity that you are using. if you are performing weighted exercsies then you should give your abs 48 hours to recover. if you are doing non-weighted exercises you can do them daily but it's better to at least switch up the exercises that you do then.

remember that great abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym...

I'm still a firm believer in weighted ab work. I think increasing the mass on your core musculature is good. I highly doubt your abs are going to get so big they make you look fat or disproportionate; your body doesn't like to let such things happen if at all possible. Try to find someone (Besides a pro bodybuilder with a GH gut) that has abs so massive they skew their physique. Good luck.

I know, I am just one person so take this for what it's worth, but I go really heavy on my core work sometimes and you can see from my pictures that I don't have issues with a bulging waistline.

I do 100 sit ups a day. Not too tiresome and definetely has an effect.

Originally Posted by mervin

train abs like you would any other muscle. there is no need to do 500 sit ups 5 days a week. I do abs once a week, maybe two times.

echoing what mervin said.

diet is important as well. doesn't matter how developed your abs are, if there's a layer of fat over them they won't show.

Originally Posted by LAM

remember that great abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym...

missed that. nice quote.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I'm still a firm believer in weighted ab work. I think increasing the mass on your core musculature is good. I highly doubt your abs are going to get so big they make you look fat or disproportionate; your body doesn't like to let such things happen if at all possible. Try to find someone (Besides a pro bodybuilder with a GH gut) that has abs so massive they skew their physique. Good luck.

I know, I am just one person so take this for what it's worth, but I go really heavy on my core work sometimes and you can see from my pictures that I don't have issues with a bulging waistline.

If you are a pro Football player or some other high impact sport then yes!!!!! build that core big and strong.......but some dude lifting at the local gym.....no reason to use weights.If you train your core hard and properly you dont need weights.....if all you want is to be in shape.

I have seen several people with overdeveloped obliques and abbs from weighted work.....it looks like shit.

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

If you are a pro Football player or some other high impact sport then yes!!!!! build that core big and strong.......but some dude lifting at the local gym.....no reason to use weights.If you train your core hard and properly you dont need weights.....if all you want is to be in shape.

I have seen several people with overdeveloped obliques and abbs from weighted work.....it looks like shit.

Even if you're "some dude lifting at a local gym" it is still beneficial to make sure your core is strong enough should you decide to try some heavy squatting or deadlifting, at least in my opinion. And yes, I know the squatting and deadlifting will improve core strength dramatically, but I still feel the additional work can improve strength further.

I've still never seen someone with overdeveloped abdominal musculature, but I'll take your word for it.

If you are a power lifter or you try to be then training your abs with weight is important.

Thanks for the input guys, I'm basically just trying to flatten out my stomach. I realize that a nice solid six pack is years down the road hehe.