I'm not sure how to go about working my abs. I usually do few reps/ heavier weights when working out my muscles. And so far, I've been very happy with the results. However, I'm not sure what to do with my abs. Should I follow the same method when working out my abs or should I just do crunches w/ no weights? As of now, I'm doing cruches and leg raises w/o weights. Is using a machine more effective?

Btw, I'm not asking to spot reduce the fat on my stomach, I just want ot know the most effective weight of gaining muscle in this area.

Thanks everyone :)

A few links for you . . .

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.php?MainMuscle=Abdominals

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/WaistWt.html#anchor172895

http://www.naturalphysiques.com/cms/index.php?itemid=103
This link is for Jeremy Likness's article on Core and Abdominal Training, a great article, but I notice that it is not there, now, so if you can't find it, try the link in a week or something -- Jeremy, do you know what's up with this article? It is one of your best, and I can't find it now.

Weighted exercises such as a crunch machine (you know, where your sitting and yuo crunch down-most gyms have them). You can also use medicine balls or do weighted incline crunches holding on to a plate. There is also cable crunches you can do, holding the cable behind your head and crunching down. The links that were posted before me, especially the exrx muscle/workout directory are great resources for getting visuals of these exercises.

The link above for my articles should work now, not sure what the issue was.

I advise against doing any weighted exercises. Most people jump to weighted exercises too soon, without learning how to properly contract the core and engage the transversus (a muscle behind the abdominal wall). If you go straight to weights, before you can even properly use your own body weight, then instead of working your abs, you'll simply build strong hip flexors and other supporting muscles without much impact on the abs.

The article describes some body weight exercises that require mastery of proper core contraction ... once you can go through all of those exercises in a slow, measured tempo, you are perhaps ready to start adding external load.

Keep in mind most abdominal definition is due to low body fat. For example, when you see my abs pictured on that page, I have almost NEVER added any weight in the 5 years I've been training ... no need to, in fact, aside from the occassional weighted crunches, I've primary done the routine on that page.

Jeremy

Weighted exercises such as a crunch machine (you know, where your sitting and yuo crunch down-most gyms have them). You can also use medicine balls or do weighted incline crunches holding on to a plate. There is also cable crunches you can do, holding the cable behind your head and crunching down. The links that were posted before me, especially the exrx muscle/workout directory are great resources for getting visuals of these exercises.

The link above for my articles should work now, not sure what the issue was.

I advise against doing any weighted exercises. Most people jump to weighted exercises too soon, without learning how to properly contract the core and engage the transversus (a muscle behind the abdominal wall)...

Keep in mind most abdominal definition is due to low body fat. For example, when you see my abs pictured on that page, I have almost NEVER added any weight in the 5 years I've been training ... no need to, in fact, aside from the occassional weighted crunches, I've primary done the routine on that page.

Jeremy

Thanks everyone. And yes, I do know that ab definition is due to low body fat. It's just that I feel like I'm working the rest of my body, but not my abs. I'm going to print your articles and read them while on the elliptical.

I'm on my summer break (no law school for a few months--woohoo!). Now I have the time to experiment with new exercises and try to build up a new routine. Thanks for the links everyone! :)

The link above for my articles should work now, not sure what the issue was.

That was weird, but the link works for me now. Thanks. And as always, thanks Jeremy for the great articles. Very helpful.