But of course, Abs again!

[Rebecca95833]

I've been weight training for about three years. Surprise, I turned out to be good at it, and my body appears to be one of those that easily puts on good muscle. Last April I started training with a bodybuilding trainer, who has convinced me over the last few months that I ought to enter Masters Competitions locally.

OK, here is the question. Over the years I've always worked abs the same way as other muscles....when they got too easy, I added weight. My trainer is now cautioning me not to add much weight, and when I do, not too often. He claims it tends to add a thick look in the middle, that isn't desireable for competition. I really have every confidence in my trainer, he's very good at what he does, and he has helped me tremendously, but just wondered if the women here consistently add weight to their ab training, and how they train the torso to avoid that "thick" look.

Thanks. I'm new here, and will enjoy reading the posts. I follow several on live clubs and groups of weight trainers and bodybuilders, but very few know specifically about women's training (which I happen to think is not exactly the same as for men).

Rebecca

[muscle_girl]

Hi Rebecca,
I do train my abs with added weights also. I believe my torso needs to be strong enough to handle all those really heavy squats I do!!! hehe
But, I have also heard the same thing your trainer is telling you - that adding extra weight will make your middle thick. And honestly before a competition I do drop my extra weights and concentrate on exercises that will flatten my stomach like using a wheel on the ground and a second exercise with a stick for those twisty turn things (LOL usually I can remember these things just not this morning)! Even regular crunches and other ab exercises without the weight.
Oh yeah, don't forget some hyperextensions for the lower back - that can add or subtract from the lovely abs on the front when looking at overall appearance (it's part of the V-shape!)- I drop some weight on those before a competition also.
Training abs is sort of like training any other body part when you get ready for a show you usually drop some weight and concentrate on higher reps. I realize that some people may argue against that theory but everyone is different. I can only tell you what I do and what seems to work better for me - you will have to find out what works best for you. It's a long process but it sounds like you have the ability to keep going strong. Go for it and have fun!

[MsFit]

Weighted ab training will build thick biscuit-like abs, not necessarily making your midsection wider though. Weighted sidebend will attribute to a thicker waist taking away from symmetry. The bottom line is genetics, but you can alter genetics to a certain extent through proper training techniqus and diet. I use weighted rope crunches and floor crunches. As muscle girl stated, if you work one side you must work the opposing side for balance and added strenght.
MsFit