Should you work on your abs every day?
Discussion
I'd say most certainly not.
Like any muscle over-training will result in very little results.
Also abbs really are mainly a function of low body-fat more than anything (although you may know this already). I'd do cardio and make sure the diet is great if I really wanted to put the abs on show!
Lee
Like any muscle over-training will result in very little results.
Also abbs really are mainly a function of low body-fat more than anything (although you may know this already). I'd do cardio and make sure the diet is great if I really wanted to put the abs on show!
Lee
Mmm. What is your goal? A strong core or to look good? 
I like to tell a story ("true story, bro" type of story) about a friend who has an absolutely amazing body completely with well-defined six pack from doing P90X yet she cannot do a single toe to bar leg raise... she has a weak core. Amusing and frustrating in equal measure for me hence my current dieting and training. FWIW I trained the core once a week to failure and now I train once a week to failure but the focus is on cardio and diet (mild calorie deficit).
I like to tell a story ("true story, bro" type of story) about a friend who has an absolutely amazing body completely with well-defined six pack from doing P90X yet she cannot do a single toe to bar leg raise... she has a weak core. Amusing and frustrating in equal measure for me hence my current dieting and training. FWIW I trained the core once a week to failure and now I train once a week to failure but the focus is on cardio and diet (mild calorie deficit).
I'm not sure a) if my memory serves me correctly or b) how much truth there is / was in it but I'm sure I once read that Ronnie Coleman only used to train abs in isolation once every 8 days. The theory being that, your abs are 'engaged' in virtually everything else you do in the gym for stability.
You know you've had a good core session when you try to sit up in bed the next day and experience complete failure so have to get out of bed by rolling onto your side and dropping to your knees.
Ordinary_Chap said:
Issi said:
Definitely not for show, just trying to build my core strength up.
Every third day perhaps?
Do squats and deadlifts then or other core type of exercises! Every third day perhaps?
Halb said:
Hoofy said:
You know you've had a good client when you try to sit up in bed the next day and experience complete failure so have to get out of bed by rolling onto your side and dropping to your knees.
HTH.Ahem.
didelydoo said:
Does this not just mean you've overworked you core and that it may be too weak to cope....
It means I work it harder and harder each time I train. So yes, it's too weak to cope with the last session. But next time it's not so bad so I give it a harder session so it can't cope with the new session.
Efbe said:
OT: what does the term 'core' actually refer to? i've never quite understood this. afaik there are no muscles right in the very middle of me.
surely there are just muscle groups, does core refer to specific muscle groups?
I really refers to your "core muscles" ie the muscle supporting your core so abs, underlying muscles, obliques and back. Having a good core is good for posture. Apparently. surely there are just muscle groups, does core refer to specific muscle groups?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_(anatomy)
Hoofy said:
I really refers to your "core muscles" ie the muscle supporting your core so abs, underlying muscles, obliques and back. Having a good core is good for posture. Apparently.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_(anatomy)
isn't this most of the muscles in your body then, maybe just not your bi's/tri's?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_(anatomy)
anyhow, always found the term 'core' is used in the same phrase as 'toning' and other such rubbish
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