So, let's make a massive post on abdominal training since it is the most FREQUENT question asked on the message board.
1) The number one way to get a six pack is DIET. Then cardiovascular exercise to help further lose body fat, then the actual abdominal exercises.
2) How many days each week should you work the abdominals?This can depend on what type of repetition training you are using. IF you are doing high repetitions, usually you can perform training on the abdominals more frequently. If you are using resistance with less repetitions, do not train them as frequently. Train them like you would train any other muscle group such as your chest, or back.
3) More crunches or sit-ups does not equate to losing that tummy flab any sooner! You're working the muscle and NOT the FAT. Oftentimes I see beginners performing 10-20 sets of various crunches and leg raises for no other reason but to get that six pack.
4) The time of your abdominal workout matters essentially on how hard you need to work your abdominal muscles. If you're going to blast them with resistance, such as 3 sets of 8 reps with a heavy weight, you may not want to do them after a cardio session or as the last set in your weight training workout. Prioritize what exercises are most important to you.
5) Is there a best time to do abdominal workouts? I don't know if there is a best time to perform abdominal workouts. You are targetting the muscle and not the fat. If you perform crunches on an empy stomach, you have just fasted for say 8 hours of sleep, so glycogen stores may be low. Because glycogen/glucose is one of the dominant energy sources for crunches, this may affect how hard you can work the abdominals.
Exercises?
Here is a post with very good exercise examples that involve resistance and/or are more difficult than a standard crunch or sit-up. Most exercise examples were provided by jpfitness.
http://training.fitness.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=704
That's all I have for now. Perhaps some other members can offer further abdominal advice? Then this can simply be referred to to new members who want to get a six-pack!
1) The number one way to get a six pack is DIET. Then cardiovascular exercise to help further lose body fat, then the actual abdominal exercises.
2) How many days each week should you work the abdominals?This can depend on what type of repetition training you are using. IF you are doing high repetitions, usually you can perform training on the abdominals more frequently. If you are using resistance with less repetitions, do not train them as frequently. Train them like you would train any other muscle group such as your chest, or back.
3) More crunches or sit-ups does not equate to losing that tummy flab any sooner! You're working the muscle and NOT the FAT. Oftentimes I see beginners performing 10-20 sets of various crunches and leg raises for no other reason but to get that six pack.
4) The time of your abdominal workout matters essentially on how hard you need to work your abdominal muscles. If you're going to blast them with resistance, such as 3 sets of 8 reps with a heavy weight, you may not want to do them after a cardio session or as the last set in your weight training workout. Prioritize what exercises are most important to you.
5) Is there a best time to do abdominal workouts? I don't know if there is a best time to perform abdominal workouts. You are targetting the muscle and not the fat. If you perform crunches on an empy stomach, you have just fasted for say 8 hours of sleep, so glycogen stores may be low. Because glycogen/glucose is one of the dominant energy sources for crunches, this may affect how hard you can work the abdominals.
Exercises?
Here is a post with very good exercise examples that involve resistance and/or are more difficult than a standard crunch or sit-up. Most exercise examples were provided by jpfitness.
http://training.fitness.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=704
That's all I have for now. Perhaps some other members can offer further abdominal advice? Then this can simply be referred to to new members who want to get a six-pack!
