is it pointless to exercise abs if

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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).

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.

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!!!

Core strength is very important.

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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.