Only doing Squats, Bench Press, and deadlifts will get you six pack abs.

[straightedg3xxx]

I heard that mainly doing squats, deadlifts, bench, and rows all the time works your abs, so all you need to do is lose the body fat and a six pack would show. I really dont like doing ab exercises because i like to kill my legs with squats and compound training but now im going to start doing them.

I can see my 4 pack when I suck in my belly fat. I havent done any ab workouts either for the majority of my life. The only place I have fat is on my belly (160 lbs) I have been focused only on adding weight to my bench, squats, deadlifts and rows. I havent missed one week yet for one whole year.*
I want to get a six pack now, and Im doing my first cut.

Heres my routine:

Mon- Squats, leg exercises
Tue- Incline bench, Shoulders
Wed- Off
Thur- Rows, Deadlifts, lat exercises
Fri- Work 10 hours
Sat- Work 10 hours then Do flat bench, bicep curls, light rows. (these are the only excercises I can do when I get off work because Im too tired to do any other)
Sun- Work 10 hours

So Im thinking of going to do some ab work on Tuesday or should i just stick to do doing hardcore compound training and lose the fat to get the abs.





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[LengthyLifter]

Abs are mostly about low BF. Weighted ab work helps them show at higher BF.

[JaymzZz]

I never do ab work directly, just squats/deads and I can start seeing them at pretty high BF for my size. Most people don't need anything more than that but it comes down to the individual.
As LengthyLifter said, abs are mostly about low BF.

I would say, if you don't like direct ab work, don't worry about it until you've got at least a few years experience and actually know what parts need isolation.
Then, once you have built up a base you can start identifying your weak parts and working on them.

[pendrin2020]

I do abs after every workout. I switch up the exercises when I get bored. Doing them often builds strength quickly for me and it's at least helping me to get over the absolute agony that cable curls and decline sit-ups used to be. My lying leg lifts are painless up until the last couple of reps. THAT ALONE is enough of a reason for me to do it. when the time comes that SERIOUS ab work is necessary, I'll have a lot more to work with than the bare minimum required for stability in other lifts. just ad a couple of sets to the end of every workout, you don't have to blow your gut to smithereens to see results. I work out 3 times a week, I do 4 sets of cable crunches, 4 sets of lying leg lifts, and 4 sets of a side/oblique exercise (it changes all the time). the ab work is considered an add-on for me so I don't feel guilty about quitting before I finish the oblique stuff. The whole process is a great way to make sure I don't leave the gym feeling under-worked LOL.

[LengthyLifter]

when the time comes that SERIOUS ab work is necessary, I'll have a lot more to work with than the bare minimum required for stability in other lifts. just ad a couple of sets to the end of every workout, you don't have to blow your gut to smithereens to see results. I work out 3 times a week, I do 4 sets of cable crunches, 4 sets of lying leg lifts, and 4 sets of a side/oblique exercise

12 sets, 3x per week is not serious ab work? That's probably time better spent on other things, especially if you're a beginner.

[krete77]

I do abs after every workout. I switch up the exercises when I get bored. Doing them often builds strength quickly for me and it's at least helping me to get over the absolute agony that cable curls and decline sit-ups used to be. My lying leg lifts are painless up until the last couple of reps. THAT ALONE is enough of a reason for me to do it. when the time comes that SERIOUS ab work is necessary, I'll have a lot more to work with than the bare minimum required for stability in other lifts. just ad a couple of sets to the end of every workout, you don't have to blow your gut to smithereens to see results. I work out 3 times a week, I do 4 sets of cable crunches, 4 sets of lying leg lifts, and 4 sets of a side/oblique exercise (it changes all the time). the ab work is considered an add-on for me so I don't feel guilty about quitting before I finish the oblique stuff. The whole process is a great way to make sure I don't leave the gym feeling under-worked LOL.

DO NOT follow this advice OP.

You have it right, stick to your big compound movements. Do what a previous poster said and add in some weighted ab workouts, if needed. I wouldn't do more then 2x a week. No need to IMO.

Build a good, solid core. Do pullups and chinups, slow and controlled and in good fashion. This will get your core strong. Concentrate on that diet if your looking for a six pack.

Also, I just looked over your workout plan. It's ok, but since your new to lifting, I would suggest that instead of making your own routine up, find one of the programs in the stickies that has been proven to work, and follow it. Consistency is key

[4dojo]

if you've heard abs are all about low bf, that is part true. However, you also want abs to be large for more definaition. To do this, ab excersises can definately help, but I personally believe that since the abdominals are utilized in many if not most motions, that training with larger muscles group like quats and benching is most effective.

[dariegodd]

coming from a naturally skinny guy ive had to still work for my abs. I started doing 3 sets of 10 crunches with 10 sec in between each set ( multiple times a day) when I was younger. today, I do weighted crunches and oblique exercises like side bends and what not. I love doing abs but I don't do them EVERYDAY . watch your diet and throw in a decent bit of cardio and pace yourself with working abs. don't just do it everyday and not let it recover ( obviously) they will show!.... if your serious about lifting.. its 100% diet and 100% lifting! give it your all

[mkcookin]

As other's have mentioned a big part of getting a six pack is your diet.

Once you have a low body fat % you really start to see your abs. I would also add in a few ab exercises to help strengthen them -- like planks and leg raises. This will not only help you get the "six pack look" your wanting, but it will also help prevent injuries and help make your back stronger.

[rallen4a]

doing ab work outs are only going to help you, not hurt you.. especially when done on off days or at the end of work outs.

sick of people saying bf% / diets is main thing for abs.. its not, its ****ing genetics.
for the people that don't have good genetics, then it is diet. not the other way around

my personal opinion has always been, doing ab work is going to make your abs stronger, not more noticeable.
and if you want strong abs / core do abs almost everyday. and anyone that says that's over working them, then you know nothing about gymnastics or boxing where a strong core is built with working the muscle everyday.

[Canadienbakon]

You are all replying to a 2-year old thread.

[dagoettsch]

true