Is direct core work a waste of time?

Cjmi427

I've read "so you want a nice stomach" many times, so I know that crunches, planks, etc. aren't necessary to get a tight, flat mid section. I personally have visible abs and don't do any direct core work. However, I feel there is room for improvement and am wondering if ab exercises are worthwhile to add in to what I am currently doing. For example, is there any benefit to doing core work at home on the days I don't go to the gym? Or is it a waste of time?
I'm not perfectly consistent, but I try to do Strong Lifts 3 days a week followed by 20 minutes of intervals on a cardio machine.
I haven't been very consistent in logging my food either, and I've been playing around with my MFP goals, so looking at my journal isn't going to be very helpful, sorry about that!

AgentOrangeJuice

have good core strength improves all aspects of your fitness. Planks are the single best thing you can do for yourself.

Azdak

AgentOrangeJuice wrote: »

have good core strength improves all aspects of your fitness. Planks are the single best thing you can do for yourself.

Couldn't disagree more. Traditional Planks are a minor accessory exercise that have benefit mostly for beginners, but that's about it.

"Core strength" and "planks" are not synonymous.

HeySwoleSister

It sounds like she's already doing a lot of compound lifts, which are excellent at building core strength. I don't know that planks are going to make or break her. Eh, a 60 second plank here and there won't hurt you, and they only eat up a minute.

Cherimoose

Cjmi427 wrote: »

I personally have visible abs and don't do any direct core work. However, I feel there is room for improvement

What kind of improvements do you want?
If you want to reduce the fat layer, a calorie deficit is the answer.
If you want larger 6-pack muscles, do heavy ab work.
If it's something else, like abdominal distention, or loose skin, then tell us.

Cjmi427

Cherimoose wrote: »

Cjmi427 wrote: »

I personally have visible abs and don't do any direct core work. However, I feel there is room for improvement

What kind of improvements do you want?
If you want to reduce the fat layer, a calorie deficit is the answer.
If you want larger 6-pack muscles, do heavy ab work.
If it's something else, like abdominal distention, or loose skin, then tell us.

Well, I gained too much weight with my second pregnancy, so there is some loose skin in my lower midsection. Not sure what to do about that.
I suppose it is also the remaining fat that bugs me a little, but I've been advised on these boards to eat at maintenance and do heavy lifting since
I am only 5'4" and 115 pounds as it is.
It's tough to know who to listen to with so many opinions out there, you know?

rybo

I am a fan of direct core work if for nothing else other than building a very strong core. Bridges, knee/leg raises, L-sits, levers hollow body holds are all excellent ways to increase core strength. Throw in some Russian twists too

Phoenix_Down

Cjmi427 wrote: »

Cherimoose wrote: »

Cjmi427 wrote: »

I personally have visible abs and don't do any direct core work. However, I feel there is room for improvement

What kind of improvements do you want?
If you want to reduce the fat layer, a calorie deficit is the answer.
If you want larger 6-pack muscles, do heavy ab work.
If it's something else, like abdominal distention, or loose skin, then tell us.

Well, I gained too much weight with my second pregnancy, so there is some loose skin in my lower midsection. Not sure what to do about that.
I suppose it is also the remaining fat that bugs me a little, but I've been advised on these boards to eat at maintenance and do heavy lifting since
I am only 5'4" and 115 pounds as it is.
It's tough to know who to listen to with so many opinions out there, you know?

5'3.5 " 120 lbs here. I saw a difference between doing a very minor bulk/recomp with a structured weightlifting program and getting a good amount of protein. However, fat loss is genetics and as women, most of us carry our fat in our stomach. I did see more of a flatter stomach after about 7 months. It is a slow process. I've also had two kids, so I understand where you're coming from with the excess skin. Depending on how long ago it was, it might tighten back up a bit but not completely, there is nothing you can do about that. I've learned to accept some imperfections. It's what makes us beautiful.

jenglish712

Core work can help build the muscle underneath. But I find it to be time consuming in that it takes more of it to feel like work after doing compound lifts. But no amount of strong core will make abs magically appear through other tissue.

If it is fat. It takes calorie defecit to lose fat. Well, you will lose it at maintenance in recomp, but at glacier speed. This is why folks typically choose one goal at a time. Either building muscle or losing fat. If it is loose skin, a bulk can actually help with that. Not that you are adding so much muscle that you are filling up the loose skin, but that it will actually tighten the skin somewhat. Being in surplus helps all the healing body. But that may be something you are not ready for, because it does mean adding a little bit of fat to... where ever it is your body stores fat.

Showcase_Brodown

If you are doing a lot of compound lifts, then yes, I would say doing direct core work is mostly a waste of time.