Abs:Misunderstood

fog15 · 07-20-2007, 08:32 AM

I saw that ab guide and for the most part it can be right, but theres one thing he isn't right about.

1) He says doing no more than 15 reps is the best way to go
2) Doing high reps is WRONG

He can be right in a sense that that worked for him even though I don't see a pic of him with abs. The thing about abs no one understands is that each persons abs react differently. If I only did 15 reps on each set of ab workouts...I would have no abs. Ive tried it...it just doesn't work FOR ME. I do 35-50 reps no matter what ab exercise I do. I usually don't count...I just go till it burns and hurts to the point where I cant do any more reps. 15 reps just dont cut it for me. Im saying...he made a good ab guide, but he cant assume what worked for him will for work everyone else. Try his way, but it may not work. IMO you need to make your own meathod...sure it could take some time but isnt that whats best for you? Jay Cutlers routine is way different that Ronnie Coleman's. BUT THEY BOTH are complete champs and beast. Im not saying hes wrong about abs...but the guy made a wrong point by saying don't go past 15...because hes telling EVERYONE not to go past 15. Dont take my thread the wrong way, he did a good job, just dont believe that his way is the right way for everyone...

gobbles · 07-20-2007, 08:36 AM

people just respond differant, same with calves, my abs, and calves have always responded better to 12-15 reps, and I mean weighted ab exercises

fog15 · 07-20-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobbles

people just respond differant, same with calves, my abs, and calves have always responded better to 12-15 reps, and I mean weighted ab exercises

thats my point, people respond different, so he shouldnt say NEVER go over 15 reps.

kyokushin1 · 07-20-2007, 08:40 AM

It's the same with any muscle, abs are no different. Some people respond better to lots and lots of volume, some people respond better to sticking to compounds and going heavy.

I can understand his point though, the abs are just a muscle like any other. You wouldn't do any more than 15 reps of bench press or deadlifts now would you...

Supertransplant · 07-20-2007, 08:45 AM

Ive come to realize that my abs look a hell of a lot better than anyone that does abs everyday....yet...I havent done any crunch or sit up for years.

Deadlifts and Squats take care of my abs very well...

Just staying up straight and keeping your abs tight when lifting hundreds of lbs is more than enough to work them abs.

Zyzz · 07-20-2007, 08:55 AM

i dont even do any ab work and i have abs crafted by God

Supertransplant · 07-20-2007, 08:56 AM

word up to the zyzz man.

Its all about keeping your abs tight when you lift heavy...that's more than enough...

OoFaP · 07-20-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supertransplant

word up to the zyzz man.

Its all about keeping your abs tight when you lift heavy...that's more than enough...

I agree. I do abs for 10 mins once a week just to do it but the truth is if you have low BF and lift heavy on all compound lifts then you will have abs.

fog15 · 07-20-2007, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyokushin1

It's the same with any muscle, abs are no different. Some people respond better to lots and lots of volume, some people respond better to sticking to compounds and going heavy.

I can understand his point though, the abs are just a muscle like any other. You wouldn't do any more than 15 reps of bench press or deadlifts now would you...

Not totally true...in some cases abs is unlike any other muscle. This is because it heals very very quickly. Which Is why I do abs every other day. In some cases I pull out 20 reps on a bench press for one set just to get the burn. Muscles react to different things. I just dont want people to think that the only way to have great abs is 15 reps...cause thats wrong.

EDIT: plus, I have a friend who has a sponsor....that sponsor tells him to never train abs with low reps...and with abs he means 10-15. He things abs react better to high reps. People are different. Its like jay cutler said "if you go around and ask 20 people how to get perfect abs, your gonna get 20 different answers"

CelticBhoy · 07-20-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fog15

Not totally true...in some cases abs is unlike any other muscle. This is because it heals very very quickly. Which Is why I do abs every other day. In some cases I pull out 20 reps on a bench press for one set just to get the burn. Muscles react to different things. I just dont want people to think that the only way to have great abs is 15 reps...cause thats wrong.

EDIT: plus, I have a friend who has a sponsor....that sponsor tells him to never train abs with low reps...and with abs he means 10-15. He things abs react better to high reps. People are different. Its like jay cutler said "if you go around and ask 20 people how to get perfect abs, your gonna get 20 different answers"

You know I would never argue with you when it comes to abdominals. Obviously you know exactly what it requires to get awesome abs. When it comes to "lower reps" if done properly, you can definitely get a workout. I agree with you: doing 10-15 reps of most abdominal exercises isn't going to cut it... unless done properly.

I'll give you an example: Let's say you're going to be doing a basic crunch: hands behind your head, legs bent in a neutral position, elbows should always remain "back"....meaning you should never pull with your elbows.

Now, when you do a basic crunch, you're obviously contracting your abdominal muscles when you come up (though keeping your lower back on the ground, obviously). Remain in the contract position, now push yourself that extra few inches and come back slightly keeping your muscles contracted.

By doing this, your abdominals are CONSTANTLY in a contracted position. Meaning that they will burn, they will remain tight, and you will not be able to do excessive amounts. I say no more than 20 before you cannot do anymore.

So in a sense, low reps can help. If you keep your abdominals in a contracted state, your body will not be able to do excessive amounts of reps and therefore, the lower reps can be beneficial.

Just playing Devil's Advocate

Hopefully by next year, I'll be able to get my physique close to yours bro. Looking tremendous (no homo, obviously).

Vicom · 07-20-2007, 12:12 PM

In my opinion 15 reps is plenty for a set for abs. You need to do weighted ab exercises if you want your abs to grow and if you're doing the reps nice and slow you should be "feeling the burn" by the tenth rep. 35 reps in my opinion wouldn't build too much muscle for the abs.