Side bends and waist
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sophia162
Posts: 115 Member
So, to the more experienced...
Is it true that weighted side bends (like, with heavy dumbbells) can make the obliques grow, thus, making your waist look bigger?
Or is it just another ole' misunderstanding/myth (like lifting will make you bulky)?
I literally googled and found conflicting answers... and even though I'm quick to disregard rubbish click-baity myths or exaggerations, I genuinely have the concern that this could be a real thing. Thought I'd ask...
Oh... I'm a woman and while I'd enjoy some strong muscles (and strength train just for that), I'd rather have a smaller waist , you know what I mean? r😬
Is it true that weighted side bends (like, with heavy dumbbells) can make the obliques grow, thus, making your waist look bigger?
Or is it just another ole' misunderstanding/myth (like lifting will make you bulky)?
I literally googled and found conflicting answers... and even though I'm quick to disregard rubbish click-baity myths or exaggerations, I genuinely have the concern that this could be a real thing. Thought I'd ask...
Oh... I'm a woman and while I'd enjoy some strong muscles (and strength train just for that), I'd rather have a smaller waist , you know what I mean? r😬
1
Replies
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Muscles like to grow if you work them.3
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I was told by a couple of trainers back when I was toying with the idea of doing a figure competition to NEVER do the side bendy things as it would not be good for the symmetry.1
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oh yeah and by the way - if you get your lats nice and wide your waist looks smaller
working for me so far!!
5 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »Muscles like to grow if you work them.
Sigh...
I tried to phrase it out to avoid an answer like this, but I guess I should've added: I know muscles grow if you work them ¬¬, but people train abs without the intention of getting a bigger stomach, don't they?
I mean, I know what you're saying is technically true (abs grow, but as you lose fat you lean out anyway and blabla.. and I'm eating at a deficit, btw, so my muscles aren't exactly growing that much anyway), but can you really not figure out what I'm trying to say?
The thing is, most ab exercises are used by everyone... except these ones, which seem to be a big no-no for some people. And it's not because they can hurt the back (like other "conflicted" ab exercises), it's because they can have the opposite effect than we seek for.
The current program I'm doing has them, so I was a bit hesitant doing them. Thought I'd ask people who've been in this longer (and know what to consider and what to disregard = ). )
But thanks for your valuable input, muscles grow if you work them... 😬✌3 -
Cahgetsfit wrote: »I was told by a couple of trainers back when I was toying with the idea of doing a figure competition to NEVER do the side bendy things as it would not be good for the symmetry.Cahgetsfit wrote: »oh yeah and by the way - if you get your lats nice and wide your waist looks smaller working for me so far!!
Thanks! = )
I think I'll avoid them as well. The program I'm following has them, but I'll just replace them with any other ab exercise.1 -
i'd say don't do them. do something else instead.1
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Everything you do is involves your core. Have you read this link? https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
1 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »Muscles like to grow if you work them.
Sigh...
I tried to phrase it out to avoid an answer like this, but I guess I should've added: I know muscles grow if you work them ¬¬, but people train abs without the intention of getting a bigger stomach, don't they?
I mean, I know what you're saying is technically true (abs grow, but as you lose fat you lean out anyway and blabla.. and I'm eating at a deficit, btw, so my muscles aren't exactly growing that much anyway), but can you really not figure out what I'm trying to say?
The thing is, most ab exercises are used by everyone... except these ones, which seem to be a big no-no for some people. And it's not because they can hurt the back (like other "conflicted" ab exercises), it's because they can have the opposite effect than we seek for.
The current program I'm doing has them, so I was a bit hesitant doing them. Thought I'd ask people who've been in this longer (and know what to consider and what to disregard = ). )
But thanks for your valuable input, muscles grow if you work them... 😬✌
I have no idea what you're asking if it's not "does working X muscle make it bigger?" I have no idea why you seem so steamed about the answer.4 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »Everything you do is involves your core. Have you read this link? https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
Yeah, I read it when I first joined the forums, along with the other stickies ")
But it's a very specific little question I had and that thread doesn't address it, however, between google and a previous answer, I've made up my mind. Thanks (really).0 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »Muscles like to grow if you work them.
Sigh...
I tried to phrase it out to avoid an answer like this, but I guess I should've added: I know muscles grow if you work them ¬¬, but people train abs without the intention of getting a bigger stomach, don't they?
I mean, I know what you're saying is technically true (abs grow, but as you lose fat you lean out anyway and blabla.. and I'm eating at a deficit, btw, so my muscles aren't exactly growing that much anyway), but can you really not figure out what I'm trying to say?
The thing is, most ab exercises are used by everyone... except these ones, which seem to be a big no-no for some people. And it's not because they can hurt the back (like other "conflicted" ab exercises), it's because they can have the opposite effect than we seek for.
The current program I'm doing has them, so I was a bit hesitant doing them. Thought I'd ask people who've been in this longer (and know what to consider and what to disregard = ). )
But thanks for your valuable input, muscles grow if you work them... 😬✌
I have no idea what you're asking if it's not "does working X muscle make it bigger?" I have no idea why you seem so steamed about the answer.
lol, I'm not so steamed... are you? o.O
So people work abs with the sole intention of having a bigger midsection, got it. Silly me ^^
2 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »Everything you do is involves your core. Have you read this link? https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
Yeah, I read it when I first joined the forums, along with the other stickies ")
But it's a very specific little question I had and that thread doesn't address it, however, between google and a previous answer, I've made up my mind. Thanks (really).
What did you decide? Side bends, yes or no?0 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »L1zardQueen wrote: »Everything you do is involves your core. Have you read this link? https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
Yeah, I read it when I first joined the forums, along with the other stickies ")
But it's a very specific little question I had and that thread doesn't address it, however, between google and a previous answer, I've made up my mind. Thanks (really).
What did you decide? Side bends, yes or no?
Haha, I decided: nay.
I'm going to skip them and in that part of the workout I'll just do any other more traditional, non-polarized, tried and true ab exercises.1 -
Sounds like a good plan! Yes1
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It happened to me. I was training a lot of weighted side-bends/crunches/planks and rotations. I then backed off and work that area less. Moderation is key.1
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L1zardQueen wrote: »Muscles like to grow if you work them.
Sigh...
I tried to phrase it out to avoid an answer like this, but I guess I should've added: I know muscles grow if you work them ¬¬, but people train abs without the intention of getting a bigger stomach, don't they?
I mean, I know what you're saying is technically true (abs grow, but as you lose fat you lean out anyway and blabla.. and I'm eating at a deficit, btw, so my muscles aren't exactly growing that much anyway), but can you really not figure out what I'm trying to say?
The thing is, most ab exercises are used by everyone... except these ones, which seem to be a big no-no for some people. And it's not because they can hurt the back (like other "conflicted" ab exercises), it's because they can have the opposite effect than we seek for.
The current program I'm doing has them, so I was a bit hesitant doing them. Thought I'd ask people who've been in this longer (and know what to consider and what to disregard = ). )
But thanks for your valuable input, muscles grow if you work them... 😬✌
I have no idea what you're asking if it's not "does working X muscle make it bigger?" I have no idea why you seem so steamed about the answer.
lol, I'm not so steamed... are you? o.O
So people work abs with the sole intention of having a bigger midsection, got it. Silly me ^^L1zardQueen wrote: »Muscles like to grow if you work them.
Sigh...
I tried to phrase it out to avoid an answer like this, but I guess I should've added: I know muscles grow if you work them ¬¬, but people train abs without the intention of getting a bigger stomach, don't they?
I mean, I know what you're saying is technically true (abs grow, but as you lose fat you lean out anyway and blabla.. and I'm eating at a deficit, btw, so my muscles aren't exactly growing that much anyway), but can you really not figure out what I'm trying to say?
The thing is, most ab exercises are used by everyone... except these ones, which seem to be a big no-no for some people. And it's not because they can hurt the back (like other "conflicted" ab exercises), it's because they can have the opposite effect than we seek for.
The current program I'm doing has them, so I was a bit hesitant doing them. Thought I'd ask people who've been in this longer (and know what to consider and what to disregard = ). )
But thanks for your valuable input, muscles grow if you work them... 😬✌
I have no idea what you're asking if it's not "does working X muscle make it bigger?" I have no idea why you seem so steamed about the answer.
lol, I'm not so steamed... are you? o.O
So people work abs with the sole intention of having a bigger midsection, got it. Silly me ^^
No. Where did I say that? People work them either to become stronger or because they mistakenly think it will result in spot reduction.4 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »Muscles like to grow if you work them.
Sigh...
I tried to phrase it out to avoid an answer like this, but I guess I should've added: I know muscles grow if you work them ¬¬, but people train abs without the intention of getting a bigger stomach, don't they?
I mean, I know what you're saying is technically true (abs grow, but as you lose fat you lean out anyway and blabla.. and I'm eating at a deficit, btw, so my muscles aren't exactly growing that much anyway), but can you really not figure out what I'm trying to say?
The thing is, most ab exercises are used by everyone... except these ones, which seem to be a big no-no for some people. And it's not because they can hurt the back (like other "conflicted" ab exercises), it's because they can have the opposite effect than we seek for.
The current program I'm doing has them, so I was a bit hesitant doing them. Thought I'd ask people who've been in this longer (and know what to consider and what to disregard = ). )
But thanks for your valuable input, muscles grow if you work them... 😬✌
I have no idea what you're asking if it's not "does working X muscle make it bigger?" I have no idea why you seem so steamed about the answer.
lol, I'm not so steamed... are you? o.O
So people work abs with the sole intention of having a bigger midsection, got it. Silly me ^^L1zardQueen wrote: »Muscles like to grow if you work them.
Sigh...
I tried to phrase it out to avoid an answer like this, but I guess I should've added: I know muscles grow if you work them ¬¬, but people train abs without the intention of getting a bigger stomach, don't they?
I mean, I know what you're saying is technically true (abs grow, but as you lose fat you lean out anyway and blabla.. and I'm eating at a deficit, btw, so my muscles aren't exactly growing that much anyway), but can you really not figure out what I'm trying to say?
The thing is, most ab exercises are used by everyone... except these ones, which seem to be a big no-no for some people. And it's not because they can hurt the back (like other "conflicted" ab exercises), it's because they can have the opposite effect than we seek for.
The current program I'm doing has them, so I was a bit hesitant doing them. Thought I'd ask people who've been in this longer (and know what to consider and what to disregard = ). )
But thanks for your valuable input, muscles grow if you work them... 😬✌
I have no idea what you're asking if it's not "does working X muscle make it bigger?" I have no idea why you seem so steamed about the answer.
lol, I'm not so steamed... are you? o.O
So people work abs with the sole intention of having a bigger midsection, got it. Silly me ^^
No. Where did I say that? People work them either to become stronger or because they mistakenly think it will result in spot reduction.
Ah, so you see? "People mistakenly think it will result in spot reduction." So maybe those who are more knowledgeable, can help these less informed people out? Without making them feel dumb or that it's the most obvious thing ever. It's nicer, it's faster.
Anyway, this is basically the one weighted exercise that many fitness instructors seem to say is detrimental to good abs (especially from a woman's usual goal's point of view).
I'm clear that spot reduction is not possible, my question was always more of a: do people here steer away from this particular exercise (for the reason I mentioned: it could make your obliques grow so much your waist actually becomes thicker), or do they disregard this as rubbish and keep it in the mix?
I've gotten two answers from women who avoid them, so that helps me make a better decision.
✌3 -
I personally avoid heavy weighted ab work, especially with the obliques and I definitely avoid it while bulking as to not put on muscle there. Even in a deficit I don't overdo it or do any progressive overload or go to failure. My waist looks exactly how I want it to as a result.3
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I personally avoid heavy weighted ab work, especially with the obliques and I definitely avoid it while bulking as to not put on muscle there. Even in a deficit I don't overdo it or do any progressive overload or go to failure. My waist looks exactly how I want it to as a result.
Cool. Thanks, I value the input = )
After reading many articles (which you can never fully trust are quite right, since you can find conflicting point of views on so many subjects) and other fellow women's replies on this thread, I've come to that very conclusion. I'm going to avoid heavy weighted work on the old abs, because it's the one part of my body I don't want to grow, like at all. (It's enough that I have the most stubborn area of fat right there, lolnotlol u.u ha)
So just some bodyweighted ab work to stregthen the core... and leave the weights for all the other muscles.
Thanks again!0 -
Do the exercises, get stronger, continue fat loss, take measurements, and you should end up a good place in the end.4
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