Abs ideas

HonkyTonks
HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all!
I have been doing circuits and weight training for a few months now (have done it previously on and off) so know a few good exercises. I have never quite felt like I've worked my abs hard enough no matter how hard I try. Since I feel some pain etc. in my legs/shoulders/arms the next day after a really good workout (not every time, and less so as time has progressed).. but I only assume that I would feel some in my abs as well. however this is not the case. I do ab crunches, sit ups, use medicine ball to do ab twists, do leg raise type things (I forget the name of the exercise but involves being on your back and moving legs forward and back holding your core in) typically I do about 15-30 reps depending on the exercise.

Should I be working harder? What are some tips for ab work?

Replies

  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    Have you done standing abs workouts or even a combination of standing abs and floor abs workouts?

    Take a look at this Tae Bo Insane Abs clip. This is probably what you need to feel like you have worked your abs.

    http://www.collagevideo.com/item.aspx?item=5939&reviewstart=1#reviewstart
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    ab wheel rollouts.

    WHen you can do 25, try and do them from your toes.

    Or dragon flags.
  • AI1108
    AI1108 Posts: 488 Member
    I superset butterflies, bicycles & leg raises on a bench together. You have to be careful not to give out your back with it though. And I finish my abs days with planks. I ALWAYS feel them the next day.

    Just a side note - if you can do 30 reps of anything, you're not going to feel it the next day because it's too easy for you. You should try to find ways to make it more challenging for yourself (ex: add some weights to it, change your incline maybe from laying to an inclined bench, etc.)
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    oh forgot to mention that DOMS is not a great sign of a successful workout. If you do something out of the ordinary, then most likely you will get DOMS.

    And I agree in that abs can be trained just like any other muscle. Progressive loading with lower reps. What I was saying with the ab wheel rollouts is that as they become easier on the knees, then you can switch to standing as the load is MUCH greater.

    And if you can do 15 dragon flags, please video it for me! These are HARD!
  • HonkyTonks
    HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
    oh OK - so how do I know I've had a good workout? I guess I just worry that I might be doing it wrong!
  • HonkyTonks
    HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
    oh and thanks guys for your suggestions! I definitely think I could be working harder, 30 reps is sort of easy.
  • discodaddy61
    discodaddy61 Posts: 161 Member
    you may be doing the exercises incorrectly. it is common that people dont use the proper form. i am a physical therapist and you would not believe how much i see this everyday at the gym. if when are doing ab work and feel pain in legs, back, shoulders, neck etc then you arent working abs correctly.
  • AI1108
    AI1108 Posts: 488 Member
    oh OK - so how do I know I've had a good workout? I guess I just worry that I might be doing it wrong!

    I usually do the last set to failure. That's when I know I'm using the right intensity & getting an efficient workout. I don't know how lean you are but I can usually feel the "pump" in my muscles when I'm done with a good workout.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    For abs (core really) a few sets to failure is a good idea IMO. And as they are just like any other muscles you don't want to do this everyday! They need rest too.

    Yesterday, I just did one mega set to failure of ab wheel rollouts.

    Also remember that all the big compound lifts use your whole core for stability.
  • SexyCook
    SexyCook Posts: 2,249 Member
    Not an expert on abs...but I hate working abs and especially when it come to getting on the floor..( I KNOW RIGHT) but I am now doing Jillian 6w/6p for the second time and it gives great results...I did it the first time and went from a round stomach to a flat stomach and now I am doing it again and in 2 weeks has lost close to 5 inches...You can check my pics on my profile for side by sides...I hope that helps adding to all the Great stuff everyone else mentioned..that i may try!:smile:
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