16
votes
Effect on abs: leg raises vs crunches
First let's see how the exercises square up on the whole.
Studies have been performed regarding the EMG (electromyography) activity for various abdominal muscles in a variety of exercises. You will ...
- 2,510
9
votes
Accepted
Why do abdominal exercises have so many reps when hypertrophy exercises are limited to 12 at most?
Why Do Abs Exercises Have So Many Reps?
Short Answer: To feel "The Burn"
Many people erroneously feel that most abs exercises are cardio exercises. As a result, they try to perform as many reps in ...
- 3,910
8
votes
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How to tighten abs while working out
Easy peezy!
If I were to punch you, and you were ready for it, you would 'tense' up and hold your breath correct?
'Tightening' your abs work much the same way. Don't push the stomach out, or ...
- 1,204
8
votes
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training abs every day, several times a day
Everyone wants a six-pack and everyone wants to increase core strength, but should you do abs exercises every day to accomplish that goal? Some of the most frequent questions I get about abs training ...
- 2,775
8
votes
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Can an intense core/abs workout gives you diarrhea?
No. Diarrhea is a symptom of what's going on inside your stomach. Your abdominal muscles are outside, and don't have any effect on your digestive system.
If you have a problem with diarrhea, you ...
Alec♦
- 17.8k
8
votes
I don't feel my ab workouts
Just to get this out of the way
Probably one of the most commonly uttered phrases around here, but it can't be said often enough: A flat belly is made in the kitchen, not in the gym. It doesn't matter ...
Alec♦
- 17.8k
7
votes
Should I be able to get abs within a month with my ab-training plan? Or is there a better way?
Recently, I had an idea of training to get six-pack abs.
This is not a good idea. Having a six-pack is mainly just an indicator that you have extremely low body fat, possibly even to the extend of it ...
- 13.2k
7
votes
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Suggestions on Postpartum exercises
After you give birth, it is incredibly important to approach your recovery just as that—recovery. Your body has gone through trauma and needs to heal with time and therapy
What happened to your core?
...
- 536
6
votes
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What are the benefits or drawbacks of full sit ups vs crunches?
Consider for a moment that a major job for your abs is not to pull your chest to your knees (crunch and sit up style), but to remain erect and not collapse like when doing a front squat:
Crunches and ...
- 14.8k
6
votes
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Abdominal role in squats
Squats train all of the supporting muscles of the torso -- including the anterior/abdominal muscles -- if you use a Valsalva maneuver.
Consider performing each squat repetition using these steps:
...
- 1,801
6
votes
Weighted exercises for lower abs
You can't target the lower abs, as there are no distinct upper and lower ab muscles, it's all just rectus abdominis, and you can't spot reduce fat either.
Expect to need to get below 10% body fat for ...
- 13.2k
6
votes
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When and how often should I train my core/abs?
The amount of (appropriate intensity) training volume necessary to maintain Ab Hypertrophy is typically going to be zero sets per week. The minimum volume required to make progress is also typically ...
- 4,412
5
votes
Womans Abdominal issues
You may find some helpful information in this post-partum/saggy belly q/a. Since you are able to improve the look with muscular contraction, you should consider specific exercises to target your abs ...
- 11k
5
votes
Why I never feel DOMS on my abs?
And does this mean I'm not having progress or not doing enough?
There’s a common perception that DOMS is a valid indicator for muscle hypertrophy, and, is a desirable goal for muscular gain. It’s ...
- 6,641
5
votes
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Why I never feel DOMS on my abs?
You Won't Have DOMS on Your Abs.......and that's an awesome thing!
Your abs muscles' primary function is to stabilize your upper body; this comprises more than half of your body weight.
They also ...
- 3,910
5
votes
Tips and tricks for abs
There's no “magic” set of exercises to get great abs. That's because great abs are a result of genetics, proper nutrition, and a long commitment to hard work. Each of of has one or more body parts ...
- 6,641
5
votes
Hourglass figure and how to prevent it
This probably isn't the answer you want, but it looks like this is an issue with angles and body fat.
TLDR: It probably isn't something to worry about. A cinched in waist means you're lean with broad ...
- 7,199
5
votes
Slightly visible abs, but bloated belly after eating
“What happened to my belly?”
It is full of food.
“What workouts can I do?”
No workout will prevent your stomach from expanding when you eat.
“How can I prevent this?”
You can’t, unless you just don’t ...
- 2,969
4
votes
Why I never feel DOMS on my abs?
DOMS has nothing to do with gains.
Some exercises, like barbell good mornings, will wreck your hamstrings with DOMS, but that is because it's a lengthening (eccentric) movement, which is where DOMS ...
- 14.8k
4
votes
Accepted
Are bigger AB wheels better?
Anecdotally I've used smaller ones and bigger ones and never noticed much of a difference. The bigger and fancier ones, honestly, are generally just about marketing. Instead of buying the $9 one at ...
- 14.8k
4
votes
Accepted
Is it good for training upper and lower abs in alternative days?
For getting abs? Sure.
For burning fat? No.
Doing ab workouts doesn't do much in the way of burning fat. Fat burning happens when you consume less calories than you spend over any given period of ...
Alec♦
- 17.8k
4
votes
Accepted
Lower abs not hurting
Your focus isn’t to train the upper / mid / lower abs -- crunches only target the rectus abdominis. In addition, crunches places unnecessary strain on your back, which would explain the LBP. Try to ...
- 2,775
4
votes
Do crunches actually increase belly size?
GREAT question! Actually the answer is more complex then I thought.
Your deep abdominal muscles are primarily stabilizers. These muscles are primarily composed of Type I, oxidative muscle fibers. ...
- 2,775
4
votes
Accepted
Exercises for Abs (Chronic Neck Pain)
Here's one I haven't seen bother the neck, the Pallof Press. (Or, because I hate exercises named after names, what I call "Ab Punchouts"):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3siU3GmosE
It’s crucial to ...
- 1,667
4
votes
Accepted
Small equipments for abs
If you're talking about reducing belly fat, you should read up that spot reduction is a myth: you can't target fat on any part of your body.
But directly answering your question the smallest piece ...
- 14.8k
4
votes
Abdominal role in squats
It is a bit more complicated than that.
The main abdominal muscles are the rectus abdominis, external and internal obliques, and the transverse abdominis. The purpose of these muscles is two-fold: on ...
- 1,957
4
votes
Accepted
Abs exercises for abs with no contact between back and surface
How did you injure your back and which part of your back?
There are quite a few you can do that have no back contact with the floor, such as:
planks (many variations),
mountain climbers,
L-sits, L-...
- 231
4
votes
Core exercise for Planche
The planche does not require any contraction of the abdominal muscles, so that's extremely unlikely to be what's limiting you. The natural tendency of gravity in the planche is to pull your hips down, ...
- 13.2k
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