one time a week enough for abs?

[Armykid93]

Is working abs really hard one time a week enough? I mean having a day specific for abs

[oatmeal69]

Many here don't even work them at all. I wouldn't do them more than once a week - like any other bodypart.

[Julz_W]

Many here don't even work them at all. I wouldn't do them more than once a week - like any other bodypart.

Once to twice a week is enough.

I was told that it doesn't require it's own day but can be put at the end of a session(s).

[Noles12]

I have tried many methods with abs. From not working them, to once a week, to everyday. I find a few times a week works best for me. Right now i do them at the end of my workout two to three times a week. It has really brought out my abs during my weight loss

[Armykid93]

Thanks everybody. I'm going to start with once a week then move the workouts up if I need to

[bbweld04]

Hey Noles how many exercises and how many sets of abs do you do at the end of your work out? I'm trying to stay on the 3 day a week thing but I'm not sure how much is enough.

[Armykid93]

Hey Noles how many exercises and how many sets of abs do you do at the end of your work out? I'm trying to stay on the 3 day a week thing but I'm not sure how much is enough.

I'm curious about this to. Seems like it would be too much for my abs honestly

[CmyZFly]

depends on your body, i do abs anywhere from 3-5x a week

[Armykid93]

depends on your body, i do abs anywhere from 3-5x a week

Nice

[bbweld04]

I know abs recover very quick so 3 times a week shouldn't be a problem but right now I usually do 2 exercises 3 sets each. I want my abs to pop and have nice definition. I know how much body fat you have plays a huge roll in that but I was told it's good to do weighted exercises to make them pop out a little better. Tough to find the time to do your full work out then stick around for another 30 min to do abs though..

[Noles12]

I usually do 2 to 3 exercises at 3 sets each. All of them are weighted and in the 10-12 rep range

[Armykid93]

I know abs recover very quick so 3 times a week shouldn't be a problem but right now I usually do 2 exercises 3 sets each. I want my abs to pop and have nice definition. I know how much body fat you have plays a huge roll in that but I was told it's good to do weighted exercises to make them pop out a little better. Tough to find the time to do your full work out then stick around for another 30 min to do abs though..

I'm looking for the same. Love that big ab look

[M302_Imola]

Abs are made in the kitchen not in the gym! I have seen some guys have a ripped six pack without even touching a crunch. Why is this??? Their diet is on par. Also, many get great ab development from performing strict form compound movements (ex. barbell rows, squats, etc.). I don't touch abs during the winter when I'm bulking as my main concern is packing on the muscle. I do however perform 2-3 ab exercises one day a week in the spring in summer when I'm cutting...yet, I don't rely on this solely for ab development. I rely on my strict diet mostly!

[Armykid93]

Abs are made in the kitchen not in the gym! I have seen some guys have a ripped six pack without even touching a crunch. Why is this??? Their diet is on par. Also, many get great ab development from performing strict form compound movements (ex. barbell rows, squats, etc.). I don't touch abs during the winter when I'm bulking as my main concern is packing on the muscle. I do however perform 2-3 ab exercises one day a week in the spring in summer when I'm cutting...yet, I don't rely on this solely for ab development. I rely on my strict diet mostly!

But diet won't develop your abs just make them more visible. They need to be worked

[rockinred]

Once a week will work and everyday can work too. In the military we use to blast abs every day. And I mean blast them.... not just a few exercises.

As M302 stated they are made in the kitchen. So what are your goals with hitting abs? Doing deadlifts and a day of abs is plenty of work to have a great look and strength. If you want a super strong core, then everyday will work too. A strong core can go a long way and is real applicable in the real world. Use of a strong core is a foundation for overall physical fitness.

[oatmeal69]

I'm looking for more of a "classic" physique. trim and thin waist with muscle up top. Will HOW you train them have any effect? I.O.W., will low reps with high weight make them strong and hard but not bigger, and higher volume lead to more size?

[Armykid93]

I'm looking for more of a "classic" physique. trim and thin waist with muscle up top. Will HOW you train them have any effect? I.O.W., will low reps with high weight make them strong and hard but not bigger, and higher volume lead to more size?

They are a muscle so yes. How you train them is how they look. Make them big or cut its up to you just like anything else

[oatmeal69]

I was thinking of training them to failure in a 12-15 rep range, once weekly. Strong and cut-up, not big.

[Armykid93]

I was thinking of training them to failure in a 12-15 rep range, once weekly. Strong and cut-up, not big.

Sounds like you will get the desired result

[bobawpsol]

twice a week at least.

[oatmeal69]

I train every muscle group once weekly. Why would I train abs twice?

[Noles12]

I train every muscle group once weekly. Why would I train abs twice?

Do you devote a whole day to abs? I personally dont. If i spent a whole workout doing abs then i would do them once a week as they would need more time to recover. But my ab work is done at the end of a workout and is far from the point of exhaustion therefore i feel i do not need as much time for recovery. There is nothing wrong with doing them once a week if it works for you. I think it all comes down to personal preference

[oatmeal69]

Do you devote a whole day to abs? I personally dont. If i spent a whole workout doing abs then i would do them once a week as they would need more time to recover.

That's a good point... how much do you count other exercises, like deads, squats, etc. toward them?

[Noles12]

That's a good point... how much do you count other exercises, like deads, squats, etc. toward them?

I see them as vital towards building a strong core and with low bodyfat, they may be all that is needed to have defined abs, but i dont do any less ab work due to those lifts. They also do not exhaust my abs so i stick to focusing on abs on their own. When i was not worried about cutting and getting back to the look i am now, i didnt do any abs but focusing on them multiple times a week has made them pop more than ever at the BF% i am now

[M302_Imola]

But diet won't develop your abs just make them more visible. They need to be worked

You are correct but I believe ab shape/development to be mostly genetic. Now don't get me wrong, I believe you can sculpt or define abs through exercise and diet but the genetics have to be there first.