How to get more defined abs?

[insight97]

Hey! So the title says it all, I'm scouting for advice on how to build up more ab deifnition. I'm alright with the diet part, but I'm sure by mixing exercises up from what I'd usually do will definitely improve results.
I'd love to hear your input, experiences, workouts you do etc to get better looking abs

[sonti]

At your age and height/weight, tbh, it's really more a matter of growing muscle over time and then losing the fat to show it off. At 16, you are still developing, so overall you will have a more 'lankier' appearance and if you are consistent in training/nutrition, they will grow. I think a lot of us had a similar stomach at your age, and it comes with time/consistency. There's no real specific training you can do aside from a proper basic routine and time. Good luck

[BubsNBean]

To build your ab muscles you can work them just like any other muscle to make them bigger. Sit ups, weighted sit ups, leg raises, oblique exercises, compound lifts- squats, deads, standing overhead press, etc. Just know that if you increase the size of your abs, you'll increase the measurement of your waist and that's something you'll have to be okay with. Then, you'll have to shed the fat over them to actually see them.

But like Sonti said you're still developing, give your body some time and just work hard. They'll come

[insight97]

At your age and height/weight, tbh, it's really more a matter of growing muscle over time and then losing the fat to show it off. At 16, you are still developing, so overall you will have a more 'lankier' appearance and if you are consistent in training/nutrition, they will grow. I think a lot of us had a similar stomach at your age, and it comes with time/consistency. There's no real specific training you can do aside from a proper basic routine and time. Good luck

Didn't even think to consistent* age, and how they'll develop in time with confidant training/nutrition etc. Thanks again

[insight97]

To build your ab muscles you can work them just like any other muscle to make them bigger. Sit ups, weighted sit ups, leg raises, oblique exercises, compound lifts- squats, deads, standing overhead press, etc. Just know that if you increase the size of your abs, you'll increase the measurement of your waist and that's something you'll have to be okay with. Then, you'll have to shed the fat over them to actually see them.

But like Sonti said you're still developing, give your body some time and just work hard. They'll come

Yeah actually, that's true as well about gaining around the waist - yet again, something I didn't consider too much xD with the exercises, I know theres a huge debate around crunches, jw would you consider them worthwhile?

[BubsNBean]

Yeah actually, that's true as well about gaining around the waist - yet again, something I didn't consider too much xD with the exercises, I know theres a huge debate around crunches, jw would you consider them worthwhile?

I don't think they're worthwhile for building the muscle, they might be worthwhile for strengthening your core, depending on how strong your core is to begin with. I built up my abs doing weighted things:

Weighted decline sit ups- hold a plate or a barbell on your chest and sit up.
Weighted obliques- hold a plate or barbell in one arm and dip to the side then get back up.
Weighted leg raises- get on the leg raise thingy, hold a barbell between your feet, raise your legs.

Now I don't do weighted anything. I do ball pass, incline situps, and leg raises on occasion just to keep my core strength. But I don't do them often or consistently because I have pretty good core strength from squats, deads, and overhead press.

[insight97]

I don't think they're worthwhile for building the muscle, they might be worthwhile for strengthening your core, depending on how strong your core is to begin with. I built up my abs doing weighted things:

Weighted decline sit ups- hold a plate or a barbell on your chest and sit up.
Weighted obliques- hold a plate or barbell in one arm and dip to the side then get back up.
Weighted leg raises- get on the leg raise thingy, hold a barbell between your feet, raise your legs.

Now I don't do weighted anything. I do ball pass, incline situps, and leg raises on occasion just to keep my core strength. But I don't do them often or consistently because I have pretty good core strength from squats, deads, and overhead press.

Ah yeah great, I'll try working more weight exercises like those into what I do.

[Bequi]

I don't think they're worthwhile for building the muscle, they might be worthwhile for strengthening your core, depending on how strong your core is to begin with. I built up my abs doing weighted things:

Weighted decline sit ups- hold a plate or a barbell on your chest and sit up.
Weighted obliques- hold a plate or barbell in one arm and dip to the side then get back up.
Weighted leg raises- get on the leg raise thingy, hold a barbell between your feet, raise your legs.

Now I don't do weighted anything. I do ball pass, incline situps, and leg raises on occasion just to keep my core strength. But I don't do them often or consistently because I have pretty good core strength from squats, deads, and overhead press.

^^^ this. shesdead on. You gotta weight train your abs along with consistent wt training w/ basic compound exercises to build the solid, defined abs you're looking for.