Abs Training

[BendtheBar]

A quote from my upcoming interview with Akiva Stopford:

This leads me to believe two things: A) the visible nature of the abdominal musculature is solely determined by a lack of subcutaneous fat, not by how many 1000’s of lame half-assed crunches you do; and B) squats and deadlifts are two of the most effective abdominal exercises available.

[Carl1174]

my thoughts exactly, you can have the best abs in the world, but if they are covered/wrapped in fat then youll never know.

Squatds, Deads, OH Press and lately BB Calf Raises hit my abs and core much better than crunching myself in to oblivion 6 times a week

Carl.

[BendtheBar]

I do like heavy situps, but beyond that ab exercise bore me to death.

On a side note...I've performed more direct ab work these past 2 months than I did for the last 24 years combined.

[5kgLifter]

Good to hear, 'cos I can't stand crunches, sit-ups and oblique twists and other abs exercises ad nauseum...

[Carl1174]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I do like heavy situps, but beyond that ab exercise bore me to death.

On a side note...I've performed more direct ab work these past 2 months than I did for the last 24 years combined.

Has it made a noticeable difference ???

Carl.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Carl1174

Has it made a noticeable difference ???

Carl.

No. Not at all. My one pack is still in tact.

I do feel it's helping with squats and lower back though.

[MC]

Good points, Carl and 5kg.

My ab work is really more for lower back support than anything else. Since I started doing weighed work (Front, side and back) my lower back pain is manageable (as opposed to intermittently debilitating).

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

No. Not at all. My one pack is still in tact.

This is full of LOL Steve!

[Carl1174]

lol

carl.

[Isaku900]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

I do feel it's helping with squats and lower back though.

direct, HEAVY, ab work is necessary for a heavy squat. You simply cannot keep an upright position, big chest, arched lower back without strong abdominals.

my favorites are spud abs (pulldown abs with a spud forearm strap), and weighted decline situps (down with the weight worn "as a hat" held on or behind your head to increase the lever arm).

[BendtheBar]

Right now my lower back is taking a beating from sitting all day.

Looking to get my squat over a raw 500 by age 44. We'll see. Hopefully all this ab work will help my old bones.