Do you train Abbs?

[DeM0NiCs]

I've noticed the stronger I can contract my abs while preforming anything from a dumbells curl to a tricep pushdown the more I target the muscle I'm trying to hit and not throw my shoulders into it. Try flexing and vacuum while doing any upper body exercise and I really helps the isolations.

 

[MrRippedZilla]

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

Their is no science behind why you shouldn't train abs - it just depends on your goals.
Bodybuilders don't want their abs to grow any further than a certain point that's why they stop training them. If you don't want something to grow, don't train it.

Calves are a combination of genetics + 90% slow twitch muscle fibres (much more difficult to induce growth) + lack of sufficient androgen receptors in the area = pain in the ass to grow.
Most guys I know that have big calves never train them at all - just one of those things.

 

[Hardtokill]

If you are at 8% walking around then your abs should be shredded.

 

[Switcher]

As well, there are many ways to train abdominal muscles. The powerlifters I have known actually wanted strong abs, not just good looking abs but strong abs, and used added resistance to build strength in the area. I have not known any bodybuilders who wanted those kind of abs, no offense to the powerlifters. They look good but do make the waist a bit bigger.

Bodybuilders have customarily stuck to very high repetitions, only wanting to tone up the area. Then again, with all the HGH running around, it is kind of harder to tell that is true anymore.

 

[DREADS]

If you are at 8% walking around then your abs should be shredded.

Yeah they are and u get all the vascularity around lower obliques but the lower 4 don't have as deep a cut as the top 4. Which is annoying

I find that they look better a couple of weeks of the GH (bit less water under skin?)

 

[DREADS]

That should read OfF the GH

 

[DREADS]

Do you stop the GH a couple weeks before peaking? Do u find the GH makes skin fold slightly higher?

Read below re water retention this is from a highly respected body builder now trainer who works with many pre contest

GH RESULTS: WATER retention


All GH users seem to gain 1-2kg (of intra and extra-cellular water) which takes about 1-2 weeks to dissipate after discontinuing therapy. For bodybuilding competition the water retention is significant enough that you would need to discontinue therapy to ‘dry out’. But for everyone else, it is not visually significant when balanced against the fat loss.

 

[RodgerThat]

The best gains I've had in my triceps is when I stopped working them out an just benched. I stopped doing biceps too in lue of doing reverse grip bent over row. The heavy weight doesn't create the same kind of pump or tone but defiantly builds and strengthens. The only thing I do for abs now is on high volume low intensity squat and deadlift days I'll do decline weighted crunches and planks to help activate the core a bit more. But the best thing I've ever done for core training is heavy deadlifts no belt.

All of this is relitive to strength and not asthetics though.

 

[DREADS]

That's interesting re deads with no belt
Do u think that works the Abbs harder
Isn't the purpose of the belt to give stability to the core by giving he Abbs something to push against
So I assume no belt means Abbs have to work harder to stabilise core

 

[RodgerThat]

Belt helps increase inter abdominal pressure yes but is taking some of the pressure off of your core for the workload. I don't reccomend doing it when you are fatigued if you are using 85% or more. If I'm doing a 5x5 I'll do the first 3-4 sets no belt then final sets use the belt to make sure I don't break down. Or 8x3 first 4 sets without belt last 4 with. Now when we say core and abs I'm not using them interchangeable your core is what surrounds your spinal colum and is not visible in any sense. Your rectus abdominal is the visible abs on your body and only aid in addin inter abdominal pressure it is your core that is strengthend during deads and squat.

 

[boxcar]

I should have trained my abs.
I used to all strength...5x5 or 3x5.

Now, I have weak ass hamstrings, and a weak core. I used belts sparingly as well.

I've heard that the best type of core work outs are the type that stabilize you?

So to the OP, i suggest training abs...how? When I can afford it, I will be buying an ab roll out.

 

[RodgerThat]

No need to buy an ab roll out just put 25s on a bar and use that as your ab roll out.

I should have trained my abs.
I used to all strength...5x5 or 3x5.

Now, I have weak ass hamstrings, and a weak core. I used belts sparingly as well.

I've heard that the best type of core work outs are the type that stabilize you?

So to the OP, i suggest training abs...how? When I can afford it, I will be buying an ab roll out.

 

[caveman72]

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

I used to train tell I realized it was making my abbey bigger. now I train indirectly but before competition I train to shred up. but I drill metal alot on my belly pulling drill towards me and hooked feet on dock my job gives you abbs. but I honestly did like warming up body with hanging leg raises gets arms shoulders ready
and focus on lower abbs. only "top gets plenty

 

[jJjburton]

I am starting to do vacuum exercises. Like it, feels good. Want a good vacuum pose I think it's sick. IDK, If it is my increased traing of abbs or vacuum training or both. I am starting to finally get that inner vertical line down my pack.

 

[pmac928]

I don't but somehow these seem to pop nice. I haven't trained core by itself in over a year. I'm sure what I do for a living puts a hurting on them and they act as secondary muscles in some of my training.