Too Much Ab Training

There are two guys at the gym who train abs every single day, they asked me the other day how often I trained abs, I do them once a week per trainer, she did tell me that I can add one more day if I want too. Abdominals are muscles just like the rest of your body and they do need to recover as well. She pointed this out to me, as I used to do them more. Abdominals are also involved in many other exercises. I'm sure we have all seen people pinch their belly fat and ask how many sit ups do I need to do to get rid of this. Main problem is the fat and all the crunches in the world won't help. Good old fashioned diet, exercise and CARDIO yikes!!!

That's what I need to do more of. I maybe train abs once a month...if that. I know, sad. That's my new goal!

Well at least they are really rested Silk! You are using them when you train but once a week is good imo.

Jenn said:

There are two guys at the gym who train abs every single day, they asked me the other day how often I trained abs, I do them once a week per trainer, she did tell me that I can add one more day if I want too. Abdominals are muscles just like the rest of your body and they do need to recover as well. She pointed this out to me, as I used to do them more. Abdominals are also involved in many other exercises. I'm sure we have all seen people pinch their belly fat and ask how many sit ups do I need to do to get rid of this. Main problem is the fat and all the crunches in the world won't help. Good old fashioned diet, exercise and CARDIO yikes!!!

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Exzactly!

I totally disagree, abs are not the same. Are forearms and calves the same as well? Frank Zane use to do 1000 reps a day before a competition and Zabo Kosweski did 1000 reps a day 6 days a week and has some of the best ab muscles around. I do 1000 reps a day and my stomach feels better than it ever has. The once a week ab routine might work for some but the myth of the abs being the same is total bogus.

I can only speak for what works for me, my abs are always in when I compete and I have no need to do that type of additional ab work. I also believe that calves need to recover as well as forearms. I use my grip for almost everything at the gym, if I trained forearms all the time they would not be recovered meaning less grip meaning less ability to use heavier weight or even any weight for that matter. So yes I believe it involves all muscle groups, you can call it a myth or whatever you like but I rely on what I have learned training myself over the last decade.

Jenn said:

I can only speak for what works for me, my abs are always in when I compete and I have no need to do that type of additional ab work. I also believe that calves need to recover as well as forearms. I use my grip for almost everything at the gym, if I trained forearms all the time they would not be recovered meaning less grip meaning less ability to use heavier weight or even any weight for that matter. So yes I believe it involves all muscle groups, you can call it a myth or whatever you like but I rely on what I have learned training myself over the last decade.

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Its so true that everyone is different and everyone responds differently to different things. I mean I know guys that never did abs and had a ripped gut. Then I know guys that had to do 1000 reps to get them. It all depends on what works for that person. For me its 1000 reps and my stomach feels and looks best I have ever had it. Don't get me wrong If I didnt have to do this I wouldnt but its what works for me. Thing is I hear trainers in the gym always say you only need to do 1 set of aBS Per week to people. Well this is not true. There is no blanket statement that can be used for all people. Its only through trial and error do we find out where we fit in as individuals. Good luck in your upcoming competition

mkdk said:

Its so true that everyone is different and everyone responds differently to different things. I mean I know guys that never did abs and had a ripped gut. Then I know guys that had to do 1000 reps to get them. It all depends on what works for that person. For me its 1000 reps and my stomach feels and looks best I have ever had it. Don't get me wrong If I didnt have to do this I wouldnt but its what works for me. Thing is I hear trainers in the gym always say you only need to do 1 set of aBS Per week to people. Well this is not true. There is no blanket statement that can be used for all people. Its only through trial and error do we find out where we fit in as individuals. Good luck in your upcoming competition

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I totally agree and also that there is no blanket statement for everyone, including training, diet etc. Thanks for the well wishes. I think a lot of trainers myself included start with a basic blueprint and then adjust according to an individual.