abs...Increase resistance or no?

J

jacketfan89

0
I've been working my abs for about a month and just started my full body workout a few weeks ago. I have noticed a bit of weight loss but its still early to tell the ab definition.

I can feel my abs getting stronger and that is where my question comes in. When your abs get stronger, do you continue to do the same exercises and just do more reps, or is it better to make some kind of resistance. For example, yesterday I did crunches but with my hands stretched out behind my head which does give a little more resistance.

Is it better to hold a weight up in the air and do crunches or just do more and more repetitions?
 
Last edited:
I tend to vary my ab workouts . I'll do some resistance based training (weighted sit ups, cable crunches etc) with body weight based (Crunches, hanging knee raises).

That said, your abs won't show without about 10%BF or less. So make sure you're diet is clean, and your doing the appropriate cardio for the right amount of time.
 
I agree with Adler, and also don't forget to added twisting into that list of variations. Your abs (rectus abdominis) was engineered to support your powerful obliques; put them to work!
 
Congrats on your fat loss, your diet must be in order

Just as a reminder:

Doing ab exercises do not make one lose fat weight.

Its fine when first starting out on ab exercises not to use any weight, as long as the reps (in my opinion) are not that high (unless you want more endurance for some reason).

Over a period of time, your torso will be able to do 100 or more situps (Modified, of course), and crunches (in correct form). Therefore, it makes sense to add some weight and keep the reps 25 or less, and then add weight on a progressive scale. Progress in weight once the first set reaches 25, and then the next set, add a 2 1/2 pound plate, or a 5 lb plate, and so on and so forth.

Give ample time for recovery and treat your ab/torso area as any other muscle in my opinion.

In addition, add the squat and/or deadlift in the ab--indirect--equation. These two lifts are much touted and will do wonders for your ENTIRE body composite.

Diet brings the definition first and foremost and without an equal. Doing more ab exercises thinking this brings definition, is not true.
 
Yeah my diet started out slow but as with anything it takes time getting used to. I've worked out the kinks and hopefully I'll start losing my 2 pounds a week. Right now the bf scale...which apparently isn't as accurate as I thought reads 22.5% body fat and I weight 181 pounds. I AM GOING to be 155-160 before the end of October. I give myself 48 hours between workouts and I do full body workouts. I also always work my abs last because all of the other exercises I do work out my core in some way shape or form. I will start posting my progress. I need to be 179 by next wednesday. :-D
 
TBH things like deads/squats etc give your abs a good workout,as has been pointed out by the guys diet is what is going to make them show.

also if you want your abs bigger then add weight if not dont.


i just do some crunches front/sides after weights,and before i do some front and side planks "advice from a physio" it gets the stabaliser muscles ready for the big lifts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top