We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Should I do ab excercizes?

ClassicPearl
ClassicPearl Posts: 141 Member
edited January 3 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi!

I found that my belly is really wiggly and I think it's flab. I read an article that you don't need to do ab work outs until you lose the fat that's covering it up. However; a friend of mine just said that she thinks I should be doing ab work outs now because I have flab, not fat.

What are your thoughts on this?

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    A strong core is beneficial whether or not it's covered up by a layer of fat. There's no need to wait, the article was mistaken.
  • AverageUkDude
    AverageUkDude Posts: 371 Member
    yup a strong core drastically improves other activities especially running etc always worth doing them.
  • Marquism123
    Marquism123 Posts: 152 Member
    Hi!

    I found that my belly is really wiggly and I think it's flab. I read an article that you don't need to do ab work outs until you lose the fat that's covering it up. However; a friend of mine just said that she thinks I should be doing ab work outs now because I have flab, not fat.

    What are your thoughts on this?

    Ummmm.. what in your mind is the difference between fat and flab??!
  • SuffolkSally
    SuffolkSally Posts: 964 Member
    I should start the exercises now - you might not see the results so much if there's still fat over the muscle, but you will feel the results.
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    Yes, you should. As stated, a strong core is crucial to overall fitness. Just don't do it everyday. 2-3 times a week is enough. Too many people think they'll get great abs by doing ab workouts every single day. The people in my gym who always do ab workouts don't have great abs. Think about it: the guys who do free weights have the best abs and they focus on upper body weight training. When your chest and shoulders and arms and back develop, so do your abs if you train right. The reason is that your core is engaged when you do resistance training, eg push ups involve keeping your core and butt tight, shoulder press requires a straight back and active engagement of the core etc.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    Depending on your exercise routine you may or may not need to add additional ab work. It shouldn't be the primary focus, but supplementary.

    Flab is fat. and fit is fab!
  • ClassicPearl
    ClassicPearl Posts: 141 Member
    Hi!

    I found that my belly is really wiggly and I think it's flab. I read an article that you don't need to do ab work outs until you lose the fat that's covering it up. However; a friend of mine just said that she thinks I should be doing ab work outs now because I have flab, not fat.

    What are your thoughts on this?

    Ummmm.. what in your mind is the difference between fat and flab??!

    Well, I just read this article about the differences:
    http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-fat-and-flab.htm

    When I get in plank position, my belly hangs down like it's loose skin and I thought loose skin would be considered flab.
  • ClassicPearl
    ClassicPearl Posts: 141 Member
    Flab is fat. and fit is fab!

    Haha, nice quote! Thanks!
This discussion has been closed.