Can abs be overtrained?

[niasdaddy2005]

The general opinion at my gym is that abs cant be overtrained thus they train them at least four times a week. I have always neglected my abs and until recently had no desire for a six pack. Just wanted to know if abs 4-5 times a week is too much, Thanks.

 

[Tweakle]

Just wanted to know if abs 4-5 times a week is too much, Thanks.

yes

 

[al420]

I saw this guy with totally shredded abs on the Discovery Channel - he was an etheopian. I think he said he had never trained abs before so maybe eating every other week is the way to go. I have also heard doing hanging reverse rear oblique crunches wearing childrens Under Armour is the best way to get that AF body that we all desire.

Tweakle was way to easy - this is a better question in the C&C or better yet AAS forum. Best ab exercise? Deep heavy squats w/ no belt IMO. Best way to get a six pack - kitchen. Over and outski.

 

[Creepusmaximus]

Yes.

 

[Rabid_Goose]

From everyone I've talked to ON HERE and read in most places, it can be. It is a muscle too and as far as I can gather all muscles are prone to that. And since that seems to be what all the people that know what they are talking about say, I now only listen to people at work or near me when I talk to them personally that say Abs can be over done. I had one guy I knew back home that did em twice a day.

Now, on that note. How do Deep Squats do anything to abs? When I go ATF should I be clenching them?

 

[petpre61]

Now, on that note. How do Deep Squats do anything to abs? When I go ATF should I be clenching them?

something has to stabalize the weight on your back or front. in order to fullfill
this task most of your trunk muscles get involved. this is why squats do
something to your abs. flexing your abs during squats, deads, military presses,
bench pressing etc. isnt too bad of an idea either

 

[silver_shadow]

I saw this guy with totally shredded abs on the Discovery Channel - he was an etheopian. I think he said he had never trained abs before so maybe eating every other week is the way to go. I have also heard doing hanging reverse rear oblique crunches wearing childrens Under Armour is the best way to get that AF body that we all desire.

Tweakle was way to easy - this is a better question in the C&C or better yet AAS forum. Best ab exercise? Deep heavy squats w/ no belt IMO. Best way to get a six pack - kitchen. Over and outski.

oh i remember that guy... he was shredded to the bone, ribs and all

 

[silver_shadow]

something has to stabalize the weight on your back or front. in order to fullfill
this task most of your trunk muscles get involved. this is why squats do
something to your abs. flexing your abs during squats, deads, military presses,
bench pressing etc. isnt too bad of an idea either

yep, to add to this - if you're going ATG on heavy squats without a belt, you'll know how you have to automatically tighten up (abs included) so your spine doesn't buckle under the weight. you will also know that if you work abs AFTER heavy squats it's alot harder than before.

 

[AAP]

Yes. And overtraining is a good thing because then the muscle (abs or any other) actually atrophies and hardens up. In abs you want details, not a lot of mass because when you abs get bigger they make your chest look smaller.

I was a competitive swimmer for 8 years. We trained abs every single day 6 days a week. 30-50 sets. This is why I have done no direct ab work in the last 7 years.

 

[Scotsman]

Yes. And overtraining is a good thing because then the muscle (abs or any other) actually atrophies and hardens up. In abs you want details, not a lot of mass because when you abs get bigger they make your chest look smaller.

I was a competitive swimmer for 8 years. We trained abs every single day 6 days a week. 30-50 sets. This is why I have done no direct ab work in the last 7 years.

True but, if you want to be a powerlifter or are going for pure core strength then it's the opposite, you do want a big midsection for stability.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[AAP]

I have no intentions of being a fatty with a belly.

 

[Scotsman]

Do it come to the dark side together we could rule the universe.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[ErikZ]

Mariusz Pudzianowski is not fat... I would happily have his abs

 

[Ripped2Shredds]

Most exercises you do involve stability of you abs...tricep push downs, squats, bench, you name it. If you take the time to train you abs with heavy weights, like doing sit-ups with plates, I reccomend takign at least 24 hours off before doing them again. People respond differently, 48-72 hours or rest for muscles is optimal. I tain MMA, and weight lift, My abs get worked constantly, but I always make sure to train them with heavy plated sit ups, but the next day I keep in mind to not train them specifically.

 

[bigsteven80]

yes they can your abs are just like any other muscle. i only train my two times a week i do 3 things for them and only rest 30secs in between sets for abs

 

[thegoodfoods]

abs are just like any other muscle. they can be overtrained

 

[fortunatesun]

Also in the sense that doing 100's of crunches is just wasting time. I guess mistrained would be a better word. If you can't get what you want done in 15 reps then you need to add some weight.

 

[Xavier_Jones]

Well if working abs 4 times is too much is working arms 3 times a week too much?

 

[thegoodfoods]

what you need to do for abs is train them just like any other muscle. 8-12 reps. 4-6 sets... i particularly like this machine. i think its hammer strength. it works wonders for me. other than that, you can just grab a 25lb plate and stick it behind your head and start crunching. raise the weight as needed. when doing crunches you should go up slow, hold for 2 seconds at the top, and go down slow.

 

[ianthegreat]

I could never get a six pack from gym routines.. Although, in 2 weeks swimming laps = cut son. Swimming is exhausting but it really pulled my stomach together. Do 4 laps then stop, and repeat. There's a lot of cradio so i dont know if thats what you are looking for but it worked for me.