Who here actually trains abs?

[psychedout]

I sometimes have a tough time training abs because I have a hard time believe that doing a weighted crunch is going to do something that pulling and pushing a whole bunch of plates can't.

I certainly have wiquid abs whenever I diet down and I don't think I have any outstanding lower back/abs strength imbalance.

Maybe I would train them if I had more time to train, but in the big swing of things don't you think its pretty negligible? Do the bit 600+ squatters/pullers and 400+ pushers bother with training abs?

 

[bignate73]

oh yeah they do. its instrumental in how they got to those numbers and keep progressing. a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, you don't want your lower back and abs (core) to be the weakest link.

 

[pong21]

Gotta train them.

 

[swordfish151]

How many days a week?

 

[psychedout]

oh yeah they do. its instrumental in how they got to those numbers and keep progressing. a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, you don't want your lower back and abs (core) to be the weakest link.

I agree absolutely that that the last thing you need is a weak link in your chain (I found out I had one about a year ago when I started to row dynamically). However, aren't you avoiding the week link by doing heavy core movements?

 

[Guinness5.0]

I haven't been training abs seriously for a while now. I don't feel like abs are a weakness of mine, and I feel that the movements I'm focusing on are adequate for now. I'm really liking front squats as an ab builder - I'm at mid-teens bf and since getting strong on fronts I have seen visible improvements in my abs.

 

[DZLS]

i think ab training is a must... maybe not alot of direct involvment, but definitley some...

 

[bignate73]

static strength is increased while you do your movements but what about damage control for slight slipping? thats what full range core work provides. if you get out of your groove it can be pretty unforgiving if you arent strong through a full range of motion. I agree front squats and zerchers are awesome for your core. its all how you feel you are improving. many ways to skin the proverbial cat. talk to the more elite lifters (bfold comes to mind) and he'll tell you he works nipples to knees for core work because his movements are dynamic in nature and though they get work statically, if you slip position, you'll hope you have the strength to recover.

 

[kingkrs]

I do hanging leg raises and they are tough on the abs!

Good exercise!

 

[Guinness5.0]

bignate-
I hadn't considered those aspects. Dammit, now I'm gonna have to train abs I hate ab work with a passion, but injury prevention is not smething to be taken lightly.

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

I do hanging leg raises and they are tough on the abs!

Good exercise!

Roman chair baby

 

[silver_shadow]

i train abs at least 2x wk with needsize crunches. not for any reason other than aiding squats and deads.

 

[blut wump]

Don't neglect your obliques. DB side bends are one of my favourites.

 

[Illuminati]

I sometimes have a tough time training abs because I have a hard time believe that doing a weighted crunch is going to do something that pulling and pushing a whole bunch of plates can't.

I certainly have wiquid abs whenever I diet down and I don't think I have any outstanding lower back/abs strength imbalance.

Maybe I would train them if I had more time to train, but in the big swing of things don't you think its pretty negligible? Do the bit 600+ squatters/pullers and 400+ pushers bother with training abs?

yes. but everything is going to be weighted, and for low reps.

 

[Only1eagle]

I like to do abs 3 times a week. I try to do leg raises decline crunches and (forgot what they are called when you stretch out perpendicular on a flat bench then crucnh together)

Even thoug I have my ring of fat now I still feel the tightness and it does help in other exercises.

 

[kingkrs]

Roman chair baby

those are good too!

 

[NorgePrecision]

I haven't done direct ab work in about 3 weeks. If they are strong enough to help my core lifts move up, then they are good enough for me. All they do is balance the body in the lifts, and I haven't ran into a problem with that yet.

 

[dannomite]

I have trouble motivating myself to do abs. Most likely because i don't have them and they are easily my weak link. I get caught up in training those muscles I see bulging in the mirror, but I am realizing as of of late how much a weak core is having a negative impact on the rest of my lifting. Also every time I pick up a Men's Health they have 17 different abs work outs with pictures of some dude doing all sorts of contortions and I never know what to go with (I know… I know… excuses… excuses).
Anybody got a nice simple but very effective routine that I won’t look like a jackass doing (and yes I admit it I don't like looking like a fool at the gym)?

-danno