is it pointless to exercise abs if

missallenxox

you have a belly? i mean im not expecting to see anything but i feel like what is the point. someone knock some sense into me.

nlwilliamson

As your stomach muscles get stronger and tighter it will pull the rest of you in I have a bad belly and I just did 3 sets of 25 rep sit ups, and 3 sets of 35rep sit up side thingys.. haha love my correctness! My abs hurt but its the good hurt

Azdak

Unless you are at a very low body fat and somehow need to develop the abs specifically for show, it is pointless to exercise the abs at all.

IMO, you are much better off incorporating general core training--either separately or part of other exercises--into your overall routine with an emphasis on stability and the glutes than you are wasting time on various ab crunches and other like exercises. For most people, ab work is about 29th on their fitness/health "needs" list, whether they realize it or not.

wellbert

It's pointless if you don't care about core strength. I mean, core strength is only vital. no big.

Pebble321

Never pointless to get stronger around your middle. Abs are only one part of your core, but being stronger there will help support your back, making lifting easier, and, as you lose fat you'll see the nice abs underneath!

stephanie1133

Strengthening your core is important whether you have fat to lose on your belly or are on the verge of a six pack. I don't think any muscle group should be ignored, especially one as important as the CORE.

mfpcopine

It depends on your needs and personal goals. Your core muscles get challenged from strength training if you are exercising proper form.

I'm not consistent, but I do core exercises because I need strong abs to protect my back.

JustBreathSB

I have fat on my thighs and can't see the muscle, does it mean I should not exercise them?

southernsweetie1978

I was doing sit-ups but my Dad has back problems and I have back problems as well and his doc told him recently that if you have back problems, you shouldn't do sit ups.

daniii6

I'd stick to planks to help strengthen your core and not worry about doing all sorts of other sit ups. Abs are visible when your body fat is low but a strong core is needed to do just about anything.

HealthyNFit4Life

def exercise them!! I've always had a belly but working out my abs make them much flatter!!

stephanie1133

I was doing sit-ups but my Dad has back problems and I have back problems as well and his doc told him recently that if you have back problems, you shouldn't do sit ups.

There are countless core and ab exercises besides sit ups.

christenwypy

I have read a lot that the only way to lose belly fat is with cardio. However, it is important to build muscle everywhere including the abs. So it is not pointless. You won't lose your belly with only abs exercises and no crunches but if you do both the cardio will rid you of the fat and the abs exercises will make the ab muscles strong (and cut).

Glucocorticoid

No, it's not pointless to train them. Train them as you would any other muscle - the abdominals aren't special.

You should also understand that spot reduction is nonsense.

Meg177

I was doing sit-ups but my Dad has back problems and I have back problems as well and his doc told him recently that if you have back problems, you shouldn't do sit ups.

There are countless core and ab exercises besides sit ups.

^^This

I doubt he said your dad shouldn't exercise his middle. A weak core is one of the surest ways to get a bad back. Among other problems.

Demmuscles

Hell no it's not pointless! Look at the difference in my belly in just 200 days - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/603903-nearing-my-200th-day-on-mfp That is 3 kids later too :-)

MonicaT1972

No it's not pointless....think of the muscles that you will eventually uncover under the belly once you melt it away! Work away at them they will show themselves sooner than later!!!

Jacwhite22

is it pointless to exercise abs

directly? yes

mjoekidd

Core strength is very important.

jackieatx

Hell no it's not pointless! Look at the difference in my belly in just 200 days - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/603903-nearing-my-200th-day-on-mfp That is 3 kids later too :-)

What did you do for that?!

healthygirl1967

i too have had a belly and still do, but working your core is vital for everyday living. I have suffered from back pain in the past but with doing core exercises like planks, side planks, the pain has reduced.

Good luck

BandedTriaRN

Core exercises: Why you should strengthen your core muscles
You know core exercises are good for you — but do you include core exercises in your fitness routine? Here's why you should.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/core-exercises/SM00071

AZKristi

Core strength is essential to almost everything you do in the gym and in life. Want to get a great workout in spin class or on the treadmill? Your gonna need a strong core to get the results you want. So, incorporate core exercises (a variety of stabilization, rotation, and flexion exercises) as part of a general cardio/strength training regimen. Good core exercises: planks, side planks, mountain climbers, russian twists, reverse crunch, double leg lowers, slow roll-ups!

Glucocorticoid

is it pointless to exercise abs

directly? yes

No, it's not.

Demmuscles

Hell no it's not pointless! Look at the difference in my belly in just 200 days - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/603903-nearing-my-200th-day-on-mfp That is 3 kids later too :-)

What did you do for that?!

To begin with, Hip Hop abs daily and zumba once a week, when I got bored I got the 30 day shred and mixed up those workout with HHA, then moved on to some Ripped in 30 workouts, and now moving on to Butt Bible. I still zumba once a week and also walk the dog daily and a 5k run once a week. If I get bored I just find random work outs free onloine as I don't have a gym membership and no equipment at home bar 1kg and 4kg weight I just make no excuses not to do it

iKapuniai

Tis never pointless to exercise, no matter the muscle! Work it out!

jenj1313

No. Your core is the foundation for the rest of your body, just like a foundation holds up a house. A house can still be solid, even if the paint is peeling.

taunto

I like to workout my abs because I'm from the hood and with abs of steal, thugs don't get to shank ma fat *kitten*!

LeggyKettleBabe

Have a C section and then tell me how pointless it is to have a strong a core. You have no idea how hard your core muscles work on a daily basis.

Yazy_boo

You DEF need to. Wats wrong with having a flatter belly!!

kdeaux1959

Core strength is very important to overall health and well-being. Also as one post-er said earlier, by increasing muscle mass you are creating additional muscle mass to burn fat more efficiently. Also, as the body fat percentage is reduced, you begin to uncover formerly unseen muscles. So yeah, exercising all muscle groups has value.