Do you train Abbs?

[DREADS]

Is it necessary to train abbs

I train at a gym where my trainer who changes the program monthly has a strong view that you don't need to train Abbs. If you squat and deadlift heavy and intensely you get enough abb development

Every week involved ball busting deads and squats

The trainer is ex pro bodybuilder with great abbs (mind u he is always around 6% which helps I'm sure)

My body fat hovers between 8% sometimes 7.5% at best. Top 4 abbs are great, bottom rack could do with sharpening up! I haven't trained them for 5 months and I'm worried I'm neglecting them!

So assuming you have abbs and low enough bf to see them do you advanced guys train them or is it unnecessary?

And if you do train I assume it's heavy and hard (not 1000s of crutches and leg raises which I used to do when I was a boxer as I'm too old to be doing that kind of stuff now!)

 

[Switcher]

Most people would probably say they don't bother training their abs as a general rule. If it is relevant depends on your goals.

 

[Docd187123]

Why are you paying for a coach that you're second guessing?

Yes I do train my abs to be able to contract stronger.

 

[flenser]

I strained something (a tendon?) in my lower abs while dead lifting a few months back. Never trained abs before then, but I do now. Damned thing still hurts sometimes.

 

[D-Ballin]

I do a few decline plate crunches and hanging leg raises a week. Just two sets of each, after chest or first push day.

But I do it more as mobility/prehab/conditioning. Not for the aesthetic of it. It seems to keep my back feeling healthier really. Have a perfectly good six pack down there, when I'm lean enough to see it without them. Squats, deads and military press are plenty of stimulation.

 

[Flaming Dragon]

I focus on abs once a week (usually after 1hr cardio session) and involved high rep 20-25 for a total of 4-6 movements (crunch, side/side, leg lifts, cable pull down, etc). I do get tons of abs activation during all my dumbbells and squat action (remember to keep the core tight)

 

[jJjburton]

5-7 times a weeks

 

[element00]

Does thinking about training abs count?

 

[bull_dozer]

Well, i hope your coach is right because i hate doing abs and i do sq and d-lifts a lot.

 

[DREADS]

Reason I question the coach is that i have always trained abbs so in my mind I feel like I'm neglecting them!

But when you think about it logically abbs are a muscle and we train every other muscle so that it can grow. We know that triceps get work from bench yet we still do triceps

Likewise although Abbs get work from deads and squats it seems to make sense that they should also be trained directly

OR is the reason you don't need to train Abbs because it's more about body fat. And as long as your body fat is low enough you will have great Abbs

 

[jJjburton]

Your coure and hips are your most important muscles. You use it during every exercise why wouldn;t you get them super strong?

 

[redrum720]

Why are you paying for a coach that you're second guessing?

Yes I do train my abs to be able to contract stronger.

Correct me doc
But if don't have a strong core you won't be lifting heavier
Or able to.grow
What I'm saying is u need a strong core to stabilize the weights Or something around that

 

[redrum720]

I also just recently bought that ab roller pro it's good do them in the morning (3x wk)
Yes yes I need to get leaner I'm.working on it

 

[Docd187123]

Correct me doc
But if don't have a strong core you won't be lifting heavier
Or able to.grow
What I'm saying is u need a strong core to stabilize the weights Or something around that

You're correct, a stronger core makes for better lifts but my point was either you trust your coach and follow him or you don't in which case stop wasting your money and his time and find a new one.

 

[Switcher]

I bet most coaches will add in as much as work as the client wants in order to keep the client.

 

[Docd187123]

I bet most coaches will add in as much as work as the client wants in order to keep the client.

Not mine and that's the difference IMO between a coach and a trainer.

 

[Switcher]

Not mine and that's the difference IMO between a coach and a trainer.

In re-reading what happened here, the OP referred to a trainer, you changed it to a coach in your response, and the OP and I both ignored the change assuming the two were being used as interchangeable terms.

As there is accuracy in suggesting that, to some, there is a material difference between coach and trainer, the one probably should not have been substituted for the other initially.

Isn't the real issue if the guy wants to work his abs, either his trainer accommodates him, he does it on his own, or he finds a new trainer?

 

[Docd187123]

In re-reading what happened here, the OP referred to a trainer, you changed it to a coach in your response, and the OP and I both ignored the change assuming the two were being used as interchangeable terms.

As there is accuracy in suggesting that, to some, there is a material difference between coach and trainer, the one probably should not have been substituted for the other initially.

Isn't the real issue if the guy wants to work his abs, either his trainer accommodates him, he does it on his own, or he finds a new trainer?

Most ppl use the terms interchangeably. I differentiate between the two.

Basically yes, that's what it boils down to.

 

[MrRippedZilla]

Your trainer probably recommends against training abs because you don't want them to grow - bodybuilders are looking for the V taper look, which means as narrow a waist as possible.

Of course you can still train abs and not grow muscle - planks, Turkish get ups, etc are examples of movements designed to maintain core strength without the accompanying hypertrophy.

Doc is 100% right about trusting your coach and, as I've said elsewhere, if I knew you were questioning me behind my back then I would drop you as a client asap with no regrets

 

[DREADS]

Yes to be clear trainer not coach

And yes I have followed the advice over the last 6 months and don't train abbs

I used to do rope crutches, Turkish half and full get ups and hanging legs raises like 3 times a week

Now I don't do anything for Abbs just heavier and more intense deadlifts and
Squats

I actually prefer not having to do them! Mainly because by the time j finish my workout I'm too farked to do them

But I still don't understand the science as to why don't train Abbs the only explanation is that they get enough intense contraction from deads and squats and the rest comes down to bf %

mind you not as mysterious as the science around why calves are so hard to develop unless you have them genetically. I have seen guys train them every way imaginable for years while using every thing available and still can't get them up to proportion with biceps