Best time to do abs in a workout?

[gettinbig12]

When should I do abs? I feel like if I finish my workout then do abs and dont take my protein shake then that takes away from the benefits the protein gives the body part that I just worked that day....

Basically should I do abs

1- After my workout and drink protein shake after abs
2- After my workout and drink protein shake after workout
3- Before workout (feel like I wouldnt have as much energy for real workout)
4- At another time during the day (going back to the gym would be annoying)

[jg314231]

nutrient timing < hitting daily macros

1- out of the 4 choices, this seems to be the most logical
2- good luck hitting abs after killing a protein shake.. id be sick
3- if this works for you go for it.. i don't like working core before heavy lifting
4- going back to the gym just to finish abs would be illogical

[allsweaty]

The window for your pwo is at least 30 minutes giving you plenty of time to blast your abs after you lift.

[gettinbig12]

So 20 minutes of abs after my workout would be fine?

[allsweaty]

I don't see a problem with it.

I don't think your body switches "modes" from lifting to repairing until you stop working out.

So if you hit your abs hard it should be like lifting for an extra 20-30 minutes.

[andy94566]

So 20 minutes of abs after my workout would be fine?

yes stop worrying

[BLUETEA]

Wake up, have nothing for 2 hours, and work your abs on an empty stomach. It makes such a difference when compared to working the abs after having food that its weird.

[gettinbig12]

Wake up, have nothing for 2 hours, and work your abs on an empty stomach. It makes such a difference when compared to working the abs after having food that its weird.

Is this real? I always eat sometime in the day before I workout because I thought you are supposed to...

[gettinbig12]

I don't see a problem with it.

I don't think your body switches "modes" from lifting to repairing until you stop working out.

So if you hit your abs hard it should be like lifting for an extra 20-30 minutes.

Yeah was curious about this... Anyone else have any info/opinions?

[BLUETEA]

Is this real? I always eat sometime in the day before I workout because I thought you are supposed to...

Ofcourse you're supposed to. But we're talking about abs here. I learned this from someone who's really, really, reallllyyyyy ripped. It works for me. When I do abs, I go attend my classes and then come back 2-3 hours later and do p90x's ab ripper x followed by 4 sets of standard crunches. You will see your abs stick out infront of your eyes. Trust me.

[gettinbig12]

Ofcourse you're supposed to. But we're talking about abs here. I learned this from someone who's really, really, reallllyyyyy ripped. It works for me. When I do abs, I go attend my classes and then come back 2-3 hours later and do p90x's ab ripper x followed by 4 sets of standard crunches. You will see your abs stick out infront of your eyes. Trust me.

Are they just popping out at the time of the workout or are the long term effects better too?

[BLUETEA]

Are they just popping out at the time of the workout or are the long term effects better too?

Long term too. But the most important things you have to look for when trying to make your abs show permanently is your body fat percentage and the food you eat. Eat a lot of greens.

[gettinbig12]

So does anyone have a few good ab exercises that would take around 20 minutes

[gettinbig12]

bump?

[TheNoob7]

I usually do them before my workout to fill the protein towards a hard lifting.
Plus it helps me from any rare stomach cramps.

[Ajk_Lpool]

Is this a frickin joke? Seriously, just train your abs in your workout at the end.

[doinmiabs]

bump?

Brother, just do them regardless of the time of day. I work out in the evening and consume food all day long so AM is not the only time you'll see results. The point is to eat clean and do the work. If you want cuts, you'll have to do some weight exercises (machine crunch, rope crunch, etc.). Keep reps at 10-12. If you are doing an insane amount of reps you are either not doing the exercises correctly or the weight is too low. Good luck!

[Ago]

Yeah was curious about this... Anyone else have any info/opinions?

Yes,if you hit your abs with high intensity (and heavy weights), your body is still in the workout mode. Therefor you should start the "windowtimer" after you're done with abs.

[laoliveira18]

When should I do abs? I feel like if I finish my workout then do abs and dont take my protein shake then that takes away from the benefits the protein gives the body part that I just worked that day....

Basically should I do abs

1- After my workout and drink protein shake after abs
2- After my workout and drink protein shake after workout
3- Before workout (feel like I wouldnt have as much energy for real workout)
4- At another time during the day (going back to the gym would be annoying)

Don't listen to these guys lol. If you don't have a meal at least an hour before your workout doesnt matter if your just hitting abs or legs you'll be wasting your time. Nutritioning yourself before the gym is absolutely one of the most important things to do. You should be eating every 2-3 hours. If you dont fuel yourself before the gym think of it like this.. your gas in the car is empty, you need FUEL aka FOOD to keep the car going correct? So if your body doesnt have any food it doesnt have anything to feed itself when your pumping iron so then it just takes all the delicious nutrition from your muscles (thats where all the protein is) and you just simply wont grow. Obviously your abs will "pop" more when your stomach is completely empty. What i suggest is to have 1 training day of just abs thats if you really want to build your ab muscles. Abs dont just pop out because your working on them, its all about what you eat. To get abs you need to eat on a caloric deficit which means youre daily calorie intake should be below maintenance or maybe at maintenance level. Everyone has abs its just covered by layers of fat. Btw always have a shake after your workout! Thats when your body needs it the most and yes it is only a 30-45 min window but i'd suggest to take it right after.

[laoliveira18]

Didn't realize this post was from 2011... oops