AB Question from a newbie

[Jenga]

Hey, I'm sure this question would have been already asked a million times. I am aiming to compete in September 2010, but would like to have visible abs when I walk out on stage. How often should you train your abs?

[1day]

i train them once a wk, some train them 2-3 times a wk. anything more than that may be over training them IMO.

[startinfromscratch]

if your like your average joe/jane, bringing abs out is all about lowering your bodyfat enough to be able to see them - essentially theyre already there, training them is a good idea, so that when you do uncover them theyre developed to some degree. diet and cardio to reduce bodyfat, but it all depends on your goals ie if your not burning more cals then your eating, you wont get any closer to seeing them..

just my 2 cents..

[Jenga]

Thanks guys, understand re bf, cardio etc. I'm trying to gain muscle at mo, but just wanted to know how often I should train my abs. Only training them twice a week, but feel it might not be enough - although being a newbie I could be trying to run before I can walk

[GreekAdonis]

Twice a week is good. Just be sure to train them using weights e.g. cable crunches, decline crunches holding a plate.

[jesses]

yep so see them takes size plus low body fat. train them twice a week as your doing but go real heavy, about 15 reps and train them just like any other body part. So go hard and heavy and try and get them sore the next day

[teamfatboy]

Watch your form tho - it's real easy with some abs exercises to cheat, co-opting other muscle groups.

Twice a week's about right, if you hit all three ab muscles (upper, lower abs and obliques) in one go.

Another approach is to add one ab muscle group to the end of each workout - so on chest day, add obliques, on arms day add lower-abs, etc.

[jesses]

good point tfb. remember your abs go from your chest to your hips. so there is no point doing sit ups and pivoting at your hips as this will only work the muscles connecting your hips to your legs.

Instead try and get your shoulders to touch your hips. Impossible, yes, but this contracts the abdominal muscle the most. Same for obliques

[Jenga]

Thanks for the advice, I knew I had come to the right place. Cheers

[Optimass]

Twice a week is good. Just be sure to train them using weights e.g. cable crunches, decline crunches holding a plate.

:nod: