do pullups help your abs?

[xc_mtb]

so i have been doing a little ab routine on my 'off' days, but for while couldnt manage to add definition to lower abs. i started doing pullups and saw dramatic improvements in my lower abs. anyone else experience this?

[CHEEF]

yeh

[DaFr3aK]

i think any sort of calystetics (i have no fukin clue how to spell that) will help bring out your abs. it seems like pushups, pullups, nd dips are great for it. idk if it activates your core or what

[DocTest]

I think so.

[uday1583]

I also do pullups in my routine, i believe pushups, pullups and Dips are absolutely useful for abs.

You could also do the leg lifting by laying back on the floor. it helps in balancing.

[jawadams]

Just a couple of weeks ago, my abs were still sore from the previous workout and I did some pullups and my abs just about exploded.

I didn't realize how much your abs are worked during pullups until then. So the answer is yes. Your core is probably your greatest source of power.

[newyorknatural]

Yes. I always am able to see my abs better when i consistently do pull-ups. Thats why they say hanging leg raises are the best exercises for abs.

[Kiknskreem]

Try doing some L-pullups and knees to elbows.

[Sleepstream]

Try doing some L-pullups and knees to elbows.

Or front levers... but those are a bit more advanced.

[Steeltoe]

i dont think classic pullups can really hit abs, so what i do is start a hanging leg raise, then pause when my legs are straight out in front of my body, then start to do pullups.
by the end of the set my lats and abs are on pretty much destroyed

[SquatTilYouDrop]

Pullups are a back exercise not an abdominal exercise. It's true abdominals do stabilize the body during the actual vertical pulling movement...but don't be fooled...Direct work like crunches and leg lifts are best for complete abdominal development.

[Dhanesh]

I think pull ups do work the abs a lot. Whenever i do pull ups my abs are sore the day after. I think this is more so with close grip underhand pull ups, as you tend to swing more, and i think the abs work quite hard to help stop the swinging.

[italianbull]

as long as you kep them tightened and your legs forward

[x0rcist]

Whenever I do chinups I find my abs burning because you use them a lot to prevent you from swaying when you pull yourself up, so I'd say they do help your abs.

[Anotherfling]

Yes, almost all of the compound exercises out there engage your abs to some extent or other, because you are stabilizing your body and/or transferring power from one area of your body to another.

[muldoon70]

Wide grip pull-ups really let me get the upper back and abs into the movement. Really helps with balance too.

[Majestyc]

Your abdominal muscles act as stabilizers in almost every exercise.

[big_easy]

Yes, almost all of the compound exercises out there engage your abs to some extent or other, because you are stabilizing your body and/or transferring power from one area of your body to another.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
this shoulda been the first thing written. there is your answer right there