Abs daily or not?

eksproductions

I grew up reading Muscle and Fitness and other mags about bodybuilders like that, back then all the bodybuilders worked their abs daily, or six days a week.

With what I know, muscles need rest, how often are you guys working your abs?

Chieflrg

Once or twice a week for 10 minutes with planks. I get most of my work from compound exercises.

For most people in general, it really isn't necessary to do anything else but diet if your doing compounds.

JoRocka

I rarely do ab work- mostly on a whim. I do it usually around the same time I feel like I need a bro curl day.

so maybe once a month? every 3 weeks?

otherwise- no- i don't do abs- much less do them daily. that's ridiculous.

ChrisLindsay9

There's a common belief that you can train abs (and calves) everyday. I have made that claim. And maybe there's some science behind, but I was only parroting what others told me. And so I am not as certain.

Now what I've come to believe based on some additional reading is that if one is doing isolated ab exercises and working them to muscle failure/overload, then you'll likely need some rest/recovery like your other muscles. But if you're ab work is to just stimulate with very mild overload/failure (there's a term for it, but I can't remember it at the moment), then you can probably do them more frequently (not sure about daily though).

Just be aware as to see if too much ab work is compromising other exercises, like squats and overhead presses (to name a couple).

I usually hit the abs on my squats and deadlifts days, one exercise for four sets to very near failure, at the end of the workout.

just_Jennie1

I work my abs every other day.

cwolfman13

I don't do a ton of direct ab work...just some moderate core type of stuff on my non-lifting days, nothing to intense. Most of my ab work is indirect as a result of my compound lifts...primarily squats and deads.

Leadfoot_Lewis

You should never work any muscle everyday. Muscles need time to recover, and when they recover is when they grow, not when you're working them.

In addition to the Compound Lifting I do, I try to hit abs x2 a week for usually 15 minutes or so.

RGv2

I rarely to never do isolated ab work.

They get worked through my compound stuff.

RoseTears143

I've seen people struggle to get ripped abs, they never would show through until they got their act together in the kitchen to shed the fat. You can work your abs until you are blue in the face but it won't matter if your BF isn't low enough to see em.

Now I'm still working on mine of course But I firmly believe in the saying "Abs are made in the kitchen"

elkahallick

Abs and core everyday, but like stated above you will not see them unless you do work in the kitchen

elkahallick

You should never work any muscle everyday. Muscles need time to recover, and when they recover is when they grow, not when you're working them.

In addition to the Compound Lifting I do, I try to hit abs x2 a week for usually 15 minutes or so.

I am saying BS... There is no such thing as over training in my book, rest when you NEED rest don't just rest because its a certain day... I have done legs 3x a week for the last few months and you know what? My power numbers have gone up!

Curious.... how do your abs look?

GnosisGnosis

You should never work any muscle everyday. Muscles need time to recover, and when they recover is when they grow, not when you're working them.

In addition to the Compound Lifting I do, I try to hit abs x2 a week for usually 15 minutes or so.

Curious.... how do your abs look?

My abs look pretty good and all I do is compound lifts. I've literally never done sit-ups seriously in my life.

Yiazach

Abs and core everyday, but like stated above you will not see them unless you do work in the kitchen

I would listen to that advice since it seems to be working good (nice abs man), but do you think that is also good for a beginner like me elka?

elkahallick

You should never work any muscle everyday. Muscles need time to recover, and when they recover is when they grow, not when you're working them.

In addition to the Compound Lifting I do, I try to hit abs x2 a week for usually 15 minutes or so.

Curious.... how do your abs look?

My abs look pretty good and all I do is compound lifts. I've literally never done sit-ups seriously in my life.

No offense, but your abs don't look that great, flat and no definition, they are just there cause you are skinny...

elkahallick

Abs and core everyday, but like stated above you will not see them unless you do work in the kitchen

I would listen to that advice since it seems to be working good (nice abs man), but do you think that is also good for a beginner like me elka?

No better time then the present.... If you have the energy at the end of your workouts do something core or ab related.... It will help your squats, bench, deadlift and other power moves...

GnosisGnosis

You should never work any muscle everyday. Muscles need time to recover, and when they recover is when they grow, not when you're working them.

In addition to the Compound Lifting I do, I try to hit abs x2 a week for usually 15 minutes or so.

Curious.... how do your abs look?

My abs look pretty good and all I do is compound lifts. I've literally never done sit-ups seriously in my life.

No offense, but your abs don't look that great, flat and no definition, they are just there cause you are skinny...

Your girlfriend disagrees Nah but seriously, you're entitled to your opinion. It's pretty clear we're into fitness for different reasons. Aesthetics and getting huge are not a priority for me.

Yiazach

chill guys

GnosisGnosis

You should never work any muscle everyday. Muscles need time to recover, and when they recover is when they grow, not when you're working them.

In addition to the Compound Lifting I do, I try to hit abs x2 a week for usually 15 minutes or so.

Curious.... how do your abs look?

My abs look pretty good and all I do is compound lifts. I've literally never done sit-ups seriously in my life.

No offense, but your abs don't look that great, flat and no definition, they are just there cause you are skinny...

Your girlfriend disagrees Nah but seriously, you're entitled to your opinion. It's pretty clear we're into fitness for different reasons. Aesthetics and getting huge are not a priority for me.

If you didn't look 17 I would threaten to slap the **** out of you for saying that... For me it is all around fitness, I am not a meat head by all means like you've hinted that I may be, I will run a mud run, do a 5k, play sand volleyball or run with the basketball team I coach, but yeah maybe or reasons are different, I workout cause I enjoy it and like pushing my body while living healthy and its just a bonus if people can tell because my aesthetics , you probably just sign up at the gym for the free t shirt and water bottle....

If you threatened to slap the **** out of me, I'd laugh really hard. I would choke you out in 30 seconds flat. Lifting weights just makes you feel tough, brotha. It doesn't actually make you tough. It makes you strong. There's a difference.
Anyway, I wish you the best on your journey and hope you lighten up.

just_Jennie1

Woah. This thread took a Pulp Fiction turn. . . .

rybo

Becuase I am working towards specific moves that involve ridiculous core strength, I do core stuff 4-5 days a week.
If you aren't going to failure you could easily do them daily if you wanted.

Leadfoot_Lewis

I am saying BS... There is no such thing as over training in my book, rest when you NEED rest don't just rest because its a certain day... I have done legs 3x a week for the last few months and you know what? My power numbers have gone up!

3 days in a row?

Curious.... how do your abs look?

Damn good

FrnkLft

I do heavy cable crunches, 2x week.

WeepingAngel81

I have also wondered about working muscles every day. I am new to lifting, so I wonder about more than abs. I have heard both sides, rest/don't rest and it's all very confusing. I think it comes down to what works for you personally. I feel like my abs are getting a better work out when I do different core work on a ball than I do with just crunches. I rest becuase I need to in order to get other things done in my daily life. I still have a long way to go, but hopefully something will click! And for you as well

Lot's of great advice even if it is all confusing. And for the record. Gnosis and elka, you BOTH look great :flowerforyou:

GnosisGnosis

I have also wondered about working muscles every day. I am new to lifting, so I wonder about more than abs. I have heard both sides, rest/don't rest and it's all very confusing. I think it comes down to what works for you personally. I feel like my abs are getting a better work out when I do different core work on a ball than I do with just crunches. I rest becuase I need to in order to get other things done in my daily life. I still have a long way to go, but hopefully something will click! And for you as well

Lot's of great advice even if it is all confusing. And for the record. Gnosis and elka, you BOTH look great :flowerforyou:

Aw, thanks darlin I think he looks great, too. I was never trying to hate on the guy. I get it, though, people have bad days and get frustrated. No harm done.

elkahallick

I am saying BS... There is no such thing as over training in my book, rest when you NEED rest don't just rest because its a certain day... I have done legs 3x a week for the last few months and you know what? My power numbers have gone up!

3 days in a row?

Curious.... how do your abs look?

Damn good

Every other day, but that's heavy weight 8-12reps on light days, 8 down to 1 rep max on power days..... Abs are high reps, there are days that I have nothing left for abs and I will skip, but theres no reason you cant work your core a every day if you wanted.. Its not like I do ten different core workouts, 1-2 4 sets....

Damn good? Prove it...

elkahallick

You should never work any muscle everyday. Muscles need time to recover, and when they recover is when they grow, not when you're working them.

In addition to the Compound Lifting I do, I try to hit abs x2 a week for usually 15 minutes or so.

Curious.... how do your abs look?

My abs look pretty good and all I do is compound lifts. I've literally never done sit-ups seriously in my life.

No offense, but your abs don't look that great, flat and no definition, they are just there cause you are skinny...

Your girlfriend disagrees Nah but seriously, you're entitled to your opinion. It's pretty clear we're into fitness for different reasons. Aesthetics and getting huge are not a priority for me.

If you didn't look 17 I would threaten to slap the **** out of you for saying that... For me it is all around fitness, I am not a meat head by all means like you've hinted that I may be, I will run a mud run, do a 5k, play sand volleyball or run with the basketball team I coach, but yeah maybe or reasons are different, I workout cause I enjoy it and like pushing my body while living healthy and its just a bonus if people can tell because my aesthetics , you probably just sign up at the gym for the free t shirt and water bottle....

If you threatened to slap the **** out of me, I'd laugh really hard. I would choke you out in 30 seconds flat. Lifting weights just makes you feel tough, brotha. It doesn't actually make you tough. It makes you strong. There's a difference.
Anyway, I wish you the best on your journey and hope you lighten up.

I wouldn't question a strangers toughness..... I actually think we would get along great in person.. Lol

FrnkLft

I have also wondered about working muscles every day. I am new to lifting, so I wonder about more than abs. I have heard both sides, rest/don't rest and it's all very confusing. I think it comes down to what works for you personally. I feel like my abs are getting a better work out when I do different core work on a ball than I do with just crunches. I rest becuase I need to in order to get other things done in my daily life. I still have a long way to go, but hopefully something will click! And for you as well

Lot's of great advice even if it is all confusing. And for the record. Gnosis and elka, you BOTH look great :flowerforyou:

About advice... you're going to find that a lot of people give you advice on a lot of things. One person says do 1000 crunches while someone like me says hit your abs twice a week with weighted cable crunches.

You'll find that most people who use extreme examples are just lucky that they got their results, and were probably overworking to get the same results. Focus on doing what you need to get done, and anything that sounds like too much, too fast, or too miraculous is pretty much bs, even if doing it will *eventually* get you some results.

I have heard some of the dumbest things come out of the mouths of some of the fittest people who do them. Stick to the basics, and make sure you can always explain "why" you're doing something as part of your routine, not just because someone told you so.

Leadfoot_Lewis

Every other day, but that's heavy weight 8-12reps on light days, 8 down to 1 rep max on power days..... Abs are high reps, there are days that I have nothing left for abs and I will skip, but theres no reason you cant work your core a every day if you wanted.. Its not like I do ten different core workouts, 1-2 4 sets....

Right - EVERY OTHER DAY not EVERY day. Go back and read my original post.

If you work your core with weights/low reps (as I do) + Compound lifts it would be idiotic to do them everyday...

Damn good? Prove it...

If it's really that important to you, PM me your email and I'll take a picture when I get a chance.

elkahallick

I have also wondered about working muscles every day. I am new to lifting, so I wonder about more than abs. I have heard both sides, rest/don't rest and it's all very confusing. I think it comes down to what works for you personally. I feel like my abs are getting a better work out when I do different core work on a ball than I do with just crunches. I rest becuase I need to in order to get other things done in my daily life. I still have a long way to go, but hopefully something will click! And for you as well

Lot's of great advice even if it is all confusing. And for the record. Gnosis and elka, you BOTH look great :flowerforyou:

I get it, though, people have bad days and get frustrated.

Not a bad day, you just made an assumption that I am just about aesthetics... I returned fire... I agree no harm done just a little banter back and forth

JoRocka

Abs are high reps, there are days that I have nothing left for abs and I will skip, but theres no reason you cant work your core a every day if you wanted.
Damn good? Prove it...

what kind of ab work are you talking about?

because there is ab stuff to train for- and then there is just mindlessly doing crunches... I personally think there is a difference.

but more importantly- why would you want to work them every day??

ndj1979

once a week for me ..I combine ab work with my HIIT session...about 30 minutes of abs and 15 minutes of HIIT..HIIT is first...(the 15 minutes of HIIT includes warm up and rest periods, it is not 15 minutes straight HIIT LOL)