How to tighten up abs without losing fat?

[OpolE]

Hi guys right i have a good understanding of bodybuilding & Fitness. But i want to see what methods you guys have

I can see my upper abs slightly with a relatively medium bodyfat, so basically i have a bit of a belly but nothing out of control

At the moment my goal is:

To tighten abs
Not to focus on losing bodyfat atm

So what exercises can you suggest

I was thinking internal core muscles to tighten and strengthen the belly area such as the plank & leg raises

Can anyone suggest some great tips please?

[ironwill2008]

Why is it that so many "abs" posters are deep in the red?

[OpolE]

Yea bump im goin away soon so i can do some when on holiday

[nungman]

troll

[dizzay20]

so u want to "tone" then?



troll/10

[swimmer2010]

sorry, but im pretty sure the only way is to lose fat overall.

[LiL USMC BBer]

OP, everyone in the thread is misunderstanding you.


I usually train my abs with heavy weight. Like any other muscle I stick within the typical (for me atleast). 6-15 reps. Depending on how I feel.

I usually do kneeling high cable crunches. Adjust the stack and rep away. Nice and slow and controlled to really feel it and not use momentum.

I also like to do weight planks.


All my other ab excersizes are things like squats and deadlifts and any other lift that uses the core.

And since you don't wanna lose bodyfat. It'll be there protecting your abs to keep them nice and tight.

Good luck with your goals.

[Tyciol]

Not sure what tighten means here. If you build the abs bigger they will be more visible given an identical amount of body fat covering them.

Strengthening the transversus abdominis muscle might possibly help to suck in the gut and make them more visible, but I'm not sure.

Attention to posture also affects how the abdomen looks.

There's also the visual effect of a 'V' from lats/shoulders and whatnot.

[rayr2010]

[QUOTE=ReSpAwN DeMoN;526470183]...I also like to do weight planks....QUOTE]

how do you do weighted planks? ankle bracelets?

[tha_deuce]

I usually train my abs with heavy weight. Like any other muscle I stick within the typical (for me atleast). 6-15 reps. Depending on how I feel.

I usually do kneeling high cable crunches. Adjust the stack and rep away. Nice and slow and controlled to really feel it and not use momentum.

I also like to do weight planks.


All my other ab excersizes are things like squats and deadlifts and any other lift that uses the core.

And since you don't wanna lose bodyfat. It'll be there protecting your abs to keep them nice and tight.

Good luck with your goals.

^^ this. any weighted ab workouts will make your abs pop!

[Tyciol]

how do you do weighted planks? ankle bracelets?

You could use an ankle weight and do a 1-legged plank, yes.

Alternatively, you can do them with chains over your back, someone sitting on you, weighted vest, etc.

[im2womanly]

eat and front squats

[LiL USMC BBer]

how do you do weighted planks? ankle bracelets?

Someone taught me to get down in the plank position. And place weight plates on my lower back. I usually go as high as 4, 45LB plates for 20 seconds. Then take 2 off, do that for 30 seconds. Then take 'em all off and do it for a minute.

Keep ur abs TIGHT and flexed hard, to avoid injury to your lower back.


I personally don't recommend this movement to the average lifter. Sometimes I fear doing it myself, and everytime I do......do them, I always get "advice" from people telling me how bad they are.

[MWheatley]

You could use an ankle weight and do a 1-legged plank, yes.

Alternatively, you can do them with chains over your back, someone sitting on you, weighted vest, etc.

Or simply have someone put a weight on your back.

Weighted planks are awesome btw