Reply
Results 1 to 15 of 15
  1. #1
    Registered User mr. ed's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2007
    Age: 41
    Posts: 7
    Rep Power: 0
    mr. ed has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    mr. ed is offline

    Post RIPPED ABS: thick ones vs flat ones

    I noticed there are guys showing off 2 different kinds of abs: being both ripped, someone's will look flat, while some others' will look thick, like if there were sticking out.

    Mine seem to get everyday more like the last ones, which I am not happy about. They may look good (being quite ripped) on the beach, but they could be easily mistaken for a beer belly with a shirt on!
    The upper part is especially sticking out, making some me think my stomach looks like a dog's one!
    Anybody knows if it is just genetics (like: we are all made in different ways, and my abs just are just that way, will never be flat) or if I am doing anything wrong?

    Are these the 2 differents results of 2 different training routines? More/less set, more/less reps, more/less weight, more/less time when flexing the muscle?

    It also would be helpful if people with different results (think or flat abs) would post their routine, so we could easily compare and see if and how they are related.

    Thanks to anybody who will help!

    Ed
    Reply With Quote

  2. #2
    Training Smarter :::JMANN:::'s Avatar
    Join Date: May 2006
    Location: Ohio, United States
    Posts: 2,194
    Rep Power: 402
    :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50) :::JMANN::: will become famous soon enough. (+50)
    :::JMANN::: is offline
    it's more genetics than anything, however, think about it these terms, you don't do reps for other body parts to make them smaller do you? i'm not saying don't train abs, but you probably don't need anything more than body weight and higher reps, along with the diet to help them show thru. i found my stomach got bigger when i did heavier weighted ab work and it DIDN'T make them anymore visible, just bigger. not what i was hoping for, so i no longer do weighted ab work.
    Jason Gold, B.S., C.P.T.
    Exercise/Fitness Specialist

    24kt Fitness Studio
    Private Personal Training
    www.24ktfitness.com

    Advocare Nutrition Distributor
    www.advocare.com/13127876

    "I don't have an ego, I just love how awesome I am!" -$.99
    Reply With Quote

  3. #3
    Registered User mr. ed's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2007
    Age: 41
    Posts: 7
    Rep Power: 0
    mr. ed has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    mr. ed is offline
    Originally Posted by :::JMANN::: View Post
    it's more genetics than anything, however, think about it these terms, you don't do reps for other body parts to make them smaller do you? i'm not saying don't train abs, but you probably don't need anything more than body weight and higher reps, along with the diet to help them show thru. i found my stomach got bigger when i did heavier weighted ab work and it DIDN'T make them anymore visible, just bigger. not what i was hoping for, so i no longer do weighted ab work.
    Thank you for your advise JMANN, will surely follow it.
    What about flexing the abs for a few seconds when contracted? Would you reccomend it or is it also gonna make the muscles unpleasantly big?
    Ed
    Reply With Quote

  4. #4
    Living the Dream, Baby! cute_asian_girl's Avatar
    Join Date: Nov 2006
    Location: Afghanistan
    Posts: 467
    Rep Power: 234
    cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10) cute_asian_girl is on a distinguished road. (+10)
    cute_asian_girl is offline
    I don't know if this is true, but I once read (here somewhere) that steriods can give you belly bloat. It does something with inflaming or enlarging the internal organs. (Yet Arnold and the older BB had great flat abs!?!) I can't say in your case obviously so it could be genetics.

    Another thing that has changed a lot in the last 20 years or so is the conditioning of the transverse abdominals as seen in BB. Compare Arnold and Frank Zane to Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman. The original BB really worked on the transverse abdominals with stomach vacuums. It's definatly something I will be adding to my routine. When I actually get abs and get rid of my keg. Hee, hee.
    Cute_Asian_Girl
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")
    Reply With Quote

  5. #5
    Registered User DCR2489's Avatar
    Join Date: Jun 2006
    Age: 34
    Posts: 1,021
    Rep Power: 275
    DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50) DCR2489 will become famous soon enough. (+50)
    DCR2489 is offline
    try some stomach vacuums to help flatten it out, I have the same type of thing, my stomach sticks out a bit but people tell me it looks like its "muscular"
    Reply With Quote

  6. #6
    Registered User mr. ed's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2007
    Age: 41
    Posts: 7
    Rep Power: 0
    mr. ed has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    mr. ed is offline
    Cute Asian Girl and DCR, thank you for your replies. Will incorporate the vacuum to my workout as well then. Have a little doubt about it tho: how do you suck in the stomachs? Is it simply like what you do for hiding a belly, just harder and for longer?
    Thanks
    Ed
    Reply With Quote

  7. #7
    Registered User grv575's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2007
    Age: 44
    Posts: 599
    Rep Power: 223
    grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10) grv575 is on a distinguished road. (+10)
    grv575 is offline
    What's there to doubt? Body builders have used vacuums for years (more of an old-style bb exercise but so what?).

    Just google a bit:
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ms-fit5.htm
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drryan11.htm

    Ashtanga yoga practices something similar (prolonged static holds of the transverse abdominis) through what they call locks or bhandas. Google for uddiyana bhanda if you wish.
    Reply With Quote

  8. #8
    Registered User The11thDimenson's Avatar
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: United States
    Age: 31
    Posts: 98
    Rep Power: 0
    The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10) The11thDimenson has a little shameless behaviour in the past. (-10)
    The11thDimenson is offline
    yea thats how my abs are. when im not flexing they pop out, all six but it kinda looks like...idk its just not flat. but then again i do have a lot of water weight there. im pretty sure it water weight.
    Reply With Quote

  9. #9
    Registered User ANewDave's Avatar
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Age: 32
    Posts: 152
    Rep Power: 178
    ANewDave has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    ANewDave is offline
    The abs are just like any other muscle group. If you use heavy weight and low reps you'll get thicker abs. However, if you use higher reps (to a point) and lower weight you will get more toned and thinner abs.
    Reply With Quote

  10. #10
    Registered User Engineer_Guy's Avatar
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Age: 37
    Posts: 9,357
    Rep Power: 13807
    Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000) Engineer_Guy is a splendid one to behold. (+10000)
    Engineer_Guy is offline
    Originally Posted by mr. ed View Post
    I noticed there are guys showing off 2 different kinds of abs: being both ripped, someone's will look flat, while some others' will look thick, like if there were sticking out.

    Mine seem to get everyday more like the last ones, which I am not happy about. They may look good (being quite ripped) on the beach, but they could be easily mistaken for a beer belly with a shirt on!
    The upper part is especially sticking out, making some me think my stomach looks like a dog's one!
    Anybody knows if it is just genetics (like: we are all made in different ways, and my abs just are just that way, will never be flat) or if I am doing anything wrong?

    Are these the 2 differents results of 2 different training routines? More/less set, more/less reps, more/less weight, more/less time when flexing the muscle?

    It also would be helpful if people with different results (think or flat abs) would post their routine, so we could easily compare and see if and how they are related.

    Thanks to anybody who will help!

    Ed
    Well for one everyone's body is different.

    But abs are a muscle group just like any other. If the muscle is bigger then odds are a person has spent more time on that muscle. Odds are the guy with the big abs that pop out is someone who does weighted crunches and other ab exercises that makes use of resistance.
    Reply With Quote

  11. #11
    Registered User gymcandykid's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: Japan
    Age: 33
    Posts: 2,465
    Rep Power: 521
    gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250) gymcandykid has a spectacular aura about. (+250)
    gymcandykid is offline
    I've been told:

    Using weight = Thicker Abs
    Body weight = Washboard/Flatter abs

    personally mine stick out almost as far as my chest and in some shirts it kinda looks like my stomach might be a little fat but its cuz my abs stick out.

    you could always do a little better cardio/dieting maybe that would help but i think its genetics that makes up a good part of a persons abs
    Don't pray for lighter burdens but for stronger bodies.
    Reply With Quote

  12. #12
    Registered User grumble1's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2009
    Location: Canada
    Age: 36
    Posts: 3,108
    Rep Power: 539
    grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) grumble1 has a spectacular aura about. (+250)
    grumble1 is offline
    Originally Posted by cute_asian_girl View Post
    I don't know if this is true, but I once read (here somewhere) that steriods can give you belly bloat. It does something with inflaming or enlarging the internal organs. (Yet Arnold and the older BB had great flat abs!?!) I can't say in your case obviously so it could be genetics.

    Another thing that has changed a lot in the last 20 years or so is the conditioning of the transverse abdominals as seen in BB. Compare Arnold and Frank Zane to Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman. The original BB really worked on the transverse abdominals with stomach vacuums. It's definatly something I will be adding to my routine. When I actually get abs and get rid of my keg. Hee, hee.
    Steroids don't cause organ growth (ie monster guts), growth hormone does. Drug-using elite bodybuilders didn't use GH in the 70's, but do now (and plenty of it). Their guts are distended from all the GH permanently growing their internal organs. No amount of stomach vacuums will really fix that. There are a bunch of other fun side effects too, like carpal tunnel.
    GOMAD!
    Reply With Quote

  13. #13
    Registered User GermanTornado's Avatar
    Join Date: Jun 2006
    Age: 31
    Posts: 63
    Rep Power: 217
    GermanTornado has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    GermanTornado is offline
    using good full ROM and body weight to high resistance but relatively low reps (20-) and generally pretty sparse training of abs you get thicker abs

    training doing thousands of situps will get you ripped abs, but boxers abs...aka asymmetrical. symmetry lies mostly in genetics, but everytime i read that a bb trains using using tons of situps, he has asymmetrical abs, and likewise most boxers have asym. abs too
    Reply With Quote

  14. #14
    Registered User Aspiring Swollja's Avatar
    Join Date: Jan 2006
    Age: 37
    Posts: 10
    Rep Power: 0
    Aspiring Swollja has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    Aspiring Swollja is offline
    Wow..alot of good information in here! This thread was a real eye opener for me, it's crazy, I've always been someone who was too lazy to do abs (ridiculous, I know) and just started routinely training my core about a year ago. I was doing alot of weighted crunches and stuff and noticed my abs were getting defined by definately thicker, which is not what I wanted. I know now, thanks to this thread what to change up
    Reply With Quote

  15. #15
    Registered User braden101's Avatar
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Australia
    Age: 33
    Posts: 2,350
    Rep Power: 1378
    braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000) braden101 is just really nice. (+1000)
    braden101 is offline
    Diet, Body Fat % and Gentics. Bit of excersice will only help to further define your abs, not make them stick in or out.

    Scientifically impossible to change the overall shape of your muscles. When below 8% bodyfat, my abs appear flat. When at around 10 % my abs are still visible although they appear slightly "thicker" because of the fat deposits around them.

    Heavy weight,no weight,low reps,high reps.Doesnt matter, get your diet and bf% in check and then work out what works best for you to further define your abs. Everyone will be different.

    Personally i alternate 3x a week between 2x8 heavily weighted and 2x15 light inclined situps/hanging leg raises/Oblique work. Gives me a good mix of strength and definition imo.

    No need for 3x100 situps and sh*t like that, just overkill imo (but hey, like i said everyone is different)
    Reply With Quote

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts