Abs argument: "You should work them every day"

[Schema84]

I'm sure this same type of thing has been asked or said before, but I'll ask again.

I've posted on my 2 month cut a while back, and just got in the swing of a proper (clean) bulk. In doing so, I've had the intentions of working out my abs like any other muscle, 2 or 3 times a week, with weights on the chest. More specifically, I want my abs to gain mass to define shape just like any other muscle (think skinny skid with low bf that doesnt have cut abs).

My buddy thinks abs (and calves, apparently) don't follow the same rules in muscle building, and that they could and should be worked every day, or at least, more often.

So, without jumping to conclusions or calling him on his word JUST yet, whats the final word on this?

[A_281086]

before people come in here and start fighting about this - ill just say it depends on your body(genetics) and your diet - some people recover faster and some recover slower.

personally, i do upper and lower on day 1, sides on day 2 and calves and forearms on day 3 - i workout 6 days a week.

[Jneves]

treat them like any other muscle.

[marblehead]

treat them like any other muscle.

Exactly

They get enough indirect work for stabalizing the rest of the body and movements.

1 day dedicated work out is sufficient.

[EL FUERTE_old]

I work mines 3x a week......

[JohnDoeBiotech]

tell your buddy hes a moron and shouldnt give out advice.

[meanmo]

I'm sure this same type of thing has been asked or said before, but I'll ask again.

I've posted on my 2 month cut a while back, and just got in the swing of a proper (clean) bulk. In doing so, I've had the intentions of working out my abs like any other muscle, 2 or 3 times a week, with weights on the chest. More specifically, I want my abs to gain mass to define shape just like any other muscle (think skinny skid with low bf that doesnt have cut abs).

My buddy thinks abs (and calves, apparently) don't follow the same rules in muscle building, and that they could and should be worked every day, or at least, more often.

So, without jumping to conclusions or calling him on his word JUST yet, whats the final word on this?

treat them like other muscles... I would not work them more than 2 times per week, if you work them hard that is enough.

The only exception I find to this rule is the calve muscles, which can tolerate a lot of training...

[Defiant1]

I train both everyday. I've had the best results from that.

[microsize]

I never train them. My body sucks.

/discussion

[burningNun]

The reasoning is that abs need to be strong, and size is a lesser concern (unless you're shooting for abs that protrude out from under your chest). High frequency low volume tends to make them strong enough to hold up your torso when you work other body parts, but not make them grow as much as the more typical BB workout.

I'm not too sure how accurate this line of reasoning is.

[marblehead]

The reasoning is that abs need to be strong, and size is a lesser concern (unless you're shooting for abs that protrude out from under your chest). High frequency low volume tends to make them strong enough to hold up your torso when you work other body parts, but not make them grow as much as the more typical BB workout.

I'm not too sure how accurate this line of reasoning is.

By using resistance and 8-10 rep range increases strength

[smurphy1989]

i haven't trained abs directly in months.they get more then enough work stabilizing my other lifts.i find diet is the most important part of having good abs

i worked abs directly on my first bulk and it caused them to stick out and make it look like i was getting fat.i think my abs just respond well genetically.if yours aren't developing the way you like direct work is probably the way to go

[Carlos901]

to cut the story short, everyone has abs, and this all depends on your diet, if your BF% is lower than 10% then you will see them, they seem to be "an easy" muscle to train, and will respond very quickly, i realy dont see the point training them every day, i know guys who compete and only ever train them as they are comeing up to a comp... for the reason above

[Porthos]

I work them every other day. I think the problem with the whole ab thing and whether to work them everyday, etc, is if you're working them hard enough to need recovery.

[jaredmt]

the guy who left a comment on my bodyspace has rediculously good abs and he works his abs 4-5x a week

i do 3-4x a week. i guess it depends on the person though

[boondock86]

well i work them every day but i work different parts every day. some people treat them like any other muscle and knock em all out on one day but i like doin upper one day, lower another, then obliques.

[KeepOnShruggin]

I work mines 3x a week......

IS EATING NOT ENOUGH ?

OVERTRAIN ALERT !!!!!



Sorry I like picking on you. Abs are made in the kitchen

[nferra2]

I have been doing them 1x or 2x a week. I like to do crunches on my FID bench before a workout as part of my warmup. I don't know why or how it helps, but it seems to make squats easier.

[vegasdsm]

i work mine directly (core/abs) twice a week... but i also squat twice a week and deadlift (or rackpull) once a week....

so...............

they really get worked 4-5 times per week

[GoJu]

overtraining is overrated.

I try to do abs every session, I like about 3-+ work sets of 5-15 reps, I also squat 3 - 4 days a week too.

[Zeus almighty]

depends on a lot off stuff. the most important thing is ur diet to keep ur BF% down. i train them every day hitting them from different angles and different exercises on different days. and genetics do matter but mainly on the shape of ur abs.

[LungeManiac]

The abdominal are no different then any other muscle group in the body. Body fat is generally stored over them so people feel they must be treated differently. This is not the case. Abdominal should be treated like every other muscle. Overload it. Feed it and it will grow. Cardiovascular and diet are the real secret in this arena. case closed!

[tropo]

overtraining is overrated.

I try to do abs every session, I like about 3-+ work sets of 5-15 reps, I also squat 3 - 4 days a week too.

You've got that right. Undertraining would be better, but quality training is best...ie. Not over, not under, but just right.

Squatting 3 - 4 days a week is absurd, but you'll learn.

[Dan0_123]

You've got that right. Undertraining would be better, but quality training is best...ie. Not over, not under, but just right.

Squatting 3 - 4 days a week is absurd, but you'll learn.

Squatting 3 days a week is not absurd.

[Pridehurtsform]

i work abs at most 15 min a week.

[Dr Clay]

There will never be a final word, but how about this for something logical:

Abs & Calves recuperate more quickly that other muscles, so they can be trained more often. However, that doesn't necessarily mean every day. I think 3 x week is about right - on average.

[BOLDERNECK]

your abs,i believe,are red fiber it recovers rather quickly....i train mine 3 times but it really depends on you..if you blow the hell out of them they will be to sore..but they are muscles like the rest i think training them to much is strange,...its all individual....

[gthorn2000]

Frank Zane and Nick Edge had/have the best abs IMO and they both work their abs more than 5 times a week w/ over 300 reps

[Phil2009]

Squatting 3 days a week is not absurd.

If weight is fluctuated seems ok. But 3 days a week of serious squatting isnt the best to put it nicely.

[JohnDoeNumba1]

depends on a lot off stuff. the most important thing is ur diet to keep ur BF% down. i train them every day hitting them from different angles and different exercises on different days. and genetics do matter but mainly on the shape of ur abs.

Exactly what I do.