Training abs....

[AlphamaleStS]

How often and for how long should the abs be trained??

I train my abs everyday, but I heard, on a TV show last night this, "trainer to the stars", was preaching that to obtain a sixpac the abs should only be trained 1-2 times per week, and for only 7min. at a time????

 

[cwc73]

I hear certain people say that they should be trained 2x's a week if hit really hard. I go 3x's with a relatively light workout. I'm naturally a medium build so abs like to show when flexed naturally.

I hope this helps answer your good question.
cwc

 

[PaganPunkstress]

dont train your abs everyday.
Train them 3 x's a week at the most.

 

[smaretick]

I hear certain people say that they should be trained 2x's a week if hit really hard. I go 3x's with a relatively light workout. I'm naturally a medium build so abs like to show when flexed naturally.

I hope this helps answer your good question.
cwc

I train abs every day & can see them when flexed. To see your abs all the time is more in the diet (i.e., low bodyfat) rather than training...but you definitely have to have them to see them. btw: I don't do anything fancy...just crunches...but I know a variety of exercises definitely helps!

 

[football63]

I hear certain people say that they should be trained 2x's a week if hit really hard. I go 3x's with a relatively light workout. I'm naturally a medium build so abs like to show when flexed naturally.

I hope this helps answer your good question.
cwc

I agree, they are muscles just like any other and should not be overtrained. What are you looking for though? Is your bodyfat low enough that they are already showing or do you just want to get them stronger? I train them about 3 times a week for about 10 minutes each time using a variety of excericses from elevated full situps to crunches.

 

[needsize]

I've never gone more than 1x per week with weight, and its worked great

 

[AlphamaleStS]

I agree, they are muscles just like any other and should not be overtrained. What are you looking for though? Is your bodyfat low enough that they are already showing or do you just want to get them stronger? I train them about 3 times a week for about 10 minutes each time using a variety of excericses from elevated full situps to crunches.

Im just looking for the truth, when i started BB 6yrs ago, it was said that abs could recover fast enough to be worked ED, and this is the 1st ive heard of this opposition to the rule.

Like i said i train them ED, and I wouldent want to Lose results by droping ab days. But if its true, and more effective to only work abs 2ice a week, then i would give it a try....just dont want to waist my time....

 

[JKurz1]

I train them everyday, but only with 6 sets, brief and hard..........works for me. Sometimes heavy, sometimes light and more reps........

 

[needsize]

Im just looking for the truth, when i started BB 6yrs ago, it was said that abs could recover fast enough to be worked ED, and this is the 1st ive heard of this opposition to the rule.

Like i said i train them ED, and I wouldent want to Lose results by droping ab days. But if its true, and more effective to only work abs 2ice a week, then i would give it a try....just dont want to waist my time....

if you train them right, trust me, you dont need more than 1x per week, same as with any other bodypart

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

I agree with needsize. 1-2X a week hard and heavy for a couple sets is all it takes. I know guy's that train their abs every day and have 6 packs, but not abs that stick out like a washboard 6 pack. They train them too often and too long with too light of weight. It shows because they have "flat" 6 packs becasue they have developed the strnegth and size of the abdominals. They're great at crunches, but sucks at anything weighted, hence low ab strength and size. I do cable crunches with 170lbs for like 15-20 reps for a set. Either those or weighted incline situps/crunches. Then some hanging leg raises for a hard set and that's it. Once, twice a week tops. I don;t have a visible 6 pack because my bodyfat's too high to see them, but my abs are strong.

Also, what's the point of hitting them hard every day when if you squat and deadlift hard you're already giving them a pretty good workout. After that all you really need is once or twice a week directly for a short, intense workout.

 

[needsize]

I agree with needsize. 1-2X a week hard and heavy for a couple sets is all it takes. I know guy's that train their abs every day and have 6 packs, but not abs that stick out like a washboard 6 pack. They train them too often and too long with too light of weight. It shows because they have "flat" 6 packs becasue they have developed the strnegth and size of the abdominals. They're great at crunches, but sucks at anything weighted, hence low ab strength and size. I do cable crunches with 170lbs for like 15-20 reps for a set. Either those or weighted incline situps/crunches. Then some hanging leg raises for a hard set and that's it. Once, twice a week tops. I don;t have a visible 6 pack because my bodyfat's too high to see them, but my abs are strong.

Also, what's the point of hitting them hard every day when if you squat and deadlift hard you're already giving them a pretty good workout. After that all you really need is once or twice a week directly for a short, intense workout.

I totally agree, I do static holds with weight, and it built my abs to the point where you can stick your knuckles in between them in the centre, in contest shape they look sick, from only 1x per week

 

[fergie]

Im just looking for the truth, when i started BB 6yrs ago, it was said that abs could recover fast enough to be worked ED, and this is the 1st ive heard of this opposition to the rule.

Like i said i train them ED, and I wouldent want to Lose results by droping ab days. But if its true, and more effective to only work abs 2ice a week, then i would give it a try....just dont want to waist my time....

I read the same thing, I actually train them ed and have never had a problem

 

[needsize]

but why train anything ed if you can get the same or better results with a fraction of that?

 

[AlphamaleStS]

but why train anything ed if you can get the same or better results with a fraction of that?

Thats my point....

Ill give a try for 4 weeks, if i see more/ better results ill stick with it, if not ill go back to ed crunches...

Another issue is that my mid section nat. sticks out, so building abs with heavy weight would be like having a beer belly with abs on it, which is why i go med/lt ab work... (not sure if i explained that right)

 

[GrandMaster]

i can do mine every other day.

but im looking to loose the little tire i have,. i want to SEE my 6pck!
i can feel it there,.. but you cant see it.
should i add more weight, and do them like a normal muscle? once a week?

i dont care about the strenght of them,.. just want to see them! i got the diet down and everything!

 

[needsize]

Thats my point....

Ill give a try for 4 weeks, if i see more/ better results ill stick with it, if not ill go back to ed crunches...

Another issue is that my mid section nat. sticks out, so building abs with heavy weight would be like having a beer belly with abs on it, which is why i go med/lt ab work... (not sure if i explained that right)

I see what you are saying, but doing static holds with weight never built my abs out, didnt make my stomach any bigger, all it did was make the abs themselves(not my waist) thicker. As you can see, my waist stayed small

 

[AlphamaleStS]

I see what you are saying, but doing static holds with weight never built my abs out, didnt make my stomach any bigger, all it did was make the abs themselves(not my waist) thicker. As you can see, my waist stayed small

Cool...Not sure what static holds are? leg lifts?

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

He's probably talking about crunching up on an incline board with weight on your chest and holding the position at the point of peak contraction for time. Works well and burns good.