Hey guys!

I've got plans on starting back at the gym on the 3rd of February (which is when I can afford it). My goal right now is to cut cut cut as much weight as I can this month (I want to join up the February 100 point challenge... Maybe Ill just have to deduct two points for the 1st and 2nd of February :neener:).

So, my question is, with all of the other workouts, back, arms, chest, legs I've got them all pretty much pinpointed I think, but for Abs, what are the more effective ab exercises if you're on a cutting diet? Same as any other diet? Should I do hanging leg lifts, or crunches? exercise ball crunches? Are there any one or two exercises that are more preferred than the others? Input!

Thanks guys

Jackson

If you are doing compound lifts like squats, deadlifts and rows as part of your program you might not need much direct ab work. Those 3 lifts helped my entire core more than any of the variety of direct ab work.

If you want to improve your core strength, do some core work. If you want your abs to show after a cut, do minimal, probably no ab work, and focus on weight lifting and more importantly diet.

Hm, no focus at all eh, I guess Ill get the exercise I need from other exercises, but I guess that makes sense. Thanks.

If you want to improve your core strength, do some core work. If you want your abs to show after a cut, do minimal, probably no ab work, and focus on weight lifting and more importantly diet.

Heya,

what is the reason for suggesting avoiding ab-work? I'm still pretty new to working out so my knowlege is patchy at best.

Cheers

Fiz

Heya,

what is the reason for suggesting avoiding ab-work? I'm still pretty new to working out so my knowlege is patchy at best.

Cheers

Fiz


If you are doing ab work to try to remove fat in that specific area faster and make the abdominals visible, it's pretty pointless as spot reduction is iffy at best (there might be some minuscule effect, but nothing significant). Time spent doing ab work could be more efficiently spent doing big lifts like deadlifts, squats, overhead presses, etc. All of those work the core.

If you have a core weakness, you are better off doing things to enhance stability of the core and not doing endless flexing exercises that might be detrimental to the back such as crunches and situps. Planks for instance.

If you are doing ab work to try to remove fat in that specific area faster and make the abdominals visible, it's pretty pointless as spot reduction is iffy at best (there might be some minuscule effect, but nothing significant). Time spent doing ab work could be more efficiently spent doing big lifts like deadlifts, squats, overhead presses, etc. All of those work the core.

If you have a core weakness, you are better off doing things to enhance stability of the core and not doing endless flexing exercises that might be detrimental to the back such as crunches and situps. Planks for instance.
What he said. :nod:

I did hardly any ab work for most of my transformation and still ended up with descent abs, so it is all very true.
They say 'great abs are built in the kitchen' you can take that as gospel. After you have progressed some you can throw in some hanging leg raises etc..

I agree with everyone above about how ab workouts will not be the saving grace of your cut. However, they do help with strength and I find that they just make me feel better in general. The best ab exercise, hands down, is bicycle crunches. When I'm consistent with them, I always notice worthwhile improvements in my waistline/general core strength. I'd add them in. Start small and work up. They are rough but fun! Good luck.