Can't get abs: Help a newb, PLEASE!

[gustyrant]

I've been working out seriously for about 1 year now. I've hired a personal trainer, I eat really clean, am at the gym 1 hour every day for 5 days/week. Over the past 3-4 months, I've seen some decent gains: about 8-10 lbs of lean muscle. Most is in the legs and back, where I never worked before. Currently, 5'9", 152 lbs, supposedly 7-9% bodyfat (I think the device lies).

My goals from the beginning have been a 6-pack and a tad more definition in arms and chest. Of course, my progress has been all arms and chest but no abs.

I take creatine, (pre and post workout), whey, eat lean beef and chicken, fruits and veggies. Recently I've even tried pink magic (it was given to me).

I work abs 2-3 per week, focusing on different area each time.

What do I need to do to get abs?
(Also if you see any part you think under developed, please point it out). Thanks!!!!

 

[ThreeGigs]

Do 30 minutes of cardio every day on a rowing machine. Make sure you lean back at the end of each stroke to a good 30 degrees, and lean forward at the beginning. Maintain a 30 stroke per minute pace, meaning 30 FULL strokes, in correct form.

The lean back at the end of each stroke is like a mini crunch or situp. The 30 stroke/min pace makes you move fast enough to engage the abs.

30 mins at 30 strokes/min is 900 mini-crunches. Awesome abs in about 2 months, depending on how well you stick to form.

 

[Powermaster]

Do you do any lower body compound work?

 

[Dath]

Biggest thing IMO for abs is diet..
when your working your abs be it crunches, planks, weighted incline situs, rows like mentioned before is holding and contracting those core muscles and not cheating by using ur back or legs depending or what your doing. Just my .02$

 

[Gissurjon]

Do 30 minutes of cardio every day on a rowing machine. Make sure you lean back at the end of each stroke to a good 30 degrees, and lean forward at the beginning. Maintain a 30 stroke per minute pace, meaning 30 FULL strokes, in correct form.

The lean back at the end of each stroke is like a mini crunch or situp. The 30 stroke/min pace makes you move fast enough to engage the abs.

30 mins at 30 strokes/min is 900 mini-crunches. Awesome abs in about 2 months, depending on how well you stick to form.

 

[OTG85]

Your so skinny already I think you jut need to pound your abs harder maybe every other day.Maybe the ab muscles are small and undeveloped.

 

[aminoman74]

you said hitting each part each time.You need to hit the whole ab each time.Do upper lower and sides.Do them 2 times a week

 

[NicoP987]

Hi, I have a website that will help you get the abs you always wanted
http://abworkoutsformen.info

 

[triplstep]

Bro, you look pretty lean, but the pic is sideways and blurry.

Dath already said it, six packs are made in the kitchen.

I think the creatine is keeping you bloated enough that your abs are hiding behind the water.

I suggest giving it up for a while, up your protien and fat intake, drop all carbs but veggies, and drink a gallon of water a day. Try this for two weeks ....

Also are you squatting? Front squats specifically? Do so, as they will rip on your abs like no other movement,

 

[PurePersian]

Brother Like Dath said above.. Abs come from diet. in your case you are pretty skinny

First off no workout will work to its potential without contracting throughout the set. While you are doing your ab workout, find the area that is being worked out and concentrate on that during the sets. This mean cause the muscles to contract when you go up and down, then loosin when you flat. IE flexing that area while working it out. This alone is the difference in raising your potential for any muscle. When you do this you will know because the workouts will be harder.
I personally think that contracting muscles is the difference between being a normal lifter and a pro.
All the work outs said above need to be done EOD or ED seems.
You will be fine brother. Keep up your training an you shoot to be 170 next year.

Another thing is switch up your routines so your body always has to adapt. that adaptations is new muscle growth.
Goodluck to you brother!

 

[CanadianStrength]

Like Dave says diet is huge. Really the most important part. Cardio will just help out. As for working your abs you have to hit them hard when you do them. They are a muscle so push hard and the will develop. Also like stated creative can bloat so that could be another factor.

 

[RockShawn]

Somebody take a stab at this:
I can't get through an ab workout because I cramp up. not just a little side cramp, I mean one, yes one, not all of my abs will fire and clench up with intense pain for like 30 seconds after doing my first set of any freaking exercise. It's pissing me off.
Thought I might be dehydrated but i drink upwards of 1.5 gallons a day and I've added in some Emergen C to try and make sure electrolytes are up. This happens on or off cycle so gear doesn't seem to be the factor.

 

[bb1129]

Somebody take a stab at this:
I can't get through an ab workout because I cramp up. not just a little side cramp, I mean one, yes one, not all of my abs will fire and clench up with intense pain for like 30 seconds after doing my first set of any freaking exercise. It's pissing me off.
Thought I might be dehydrated but i drink upwards of 1.5 gallons a day and I've added in some Emergen C to try and make sure electrolytes are up. This happens on or off cycle so gear doesn't seem to be the factor.

I have horrible crampin issues...try taurine

 

[ThreeGigs]

Somebody take a stab at this:
I can't get through an ab workout because I cramp up. not just a little side cramp, I mean one, yes one, not all of my abs will fire and clench up with intense pain for like 30 seconds after doing my first set of any freaking exercise. It's pissing me off.
Thought I might be dehydrated but i drink upwards of 1.5 gallons a day and I've added in some Emergen C to try and make sure electrolytes are up. This happens on or off cycle so gear doesn't seem to be the factor.

Sounds like your potassium levels are shit.

Eat potatoes for a week as your carb source.

 

[johnniejr243]

Your issue is you have no mass!! You need hanging leg raises, weighted side bends with cable machine,
Lying leg raises from bench, dead lifts, squats. Areas to work on: please don't take this as being a dick
but you need to focus on everything. Shoulders, traps, forearms, full chest (don't forget declines). Legs and arms. I honestly feel if you start to gain more mass and do abs eod you'll be happy.
Don't forget to eat alot of complex carbs, protein, vegetables to help protein absorption. Your quite less do id only do cardio first as a warm up 10-25 min.