I'm half way through a 6 week mini cut for my hols and have visiably lost fat (maybe muscle but trying to minimise it obviously!)

Not trainined my abs really for months, maybe i should have been when i was bulking (i do plan to start bulking again after my hols), but is there any point whilst cutting ?

The reason i ask is as i'm getting a bit leaner i cant really see much in terms of abs.

I do compounds such as deads, squats, Military Press etc so thought maybe they'd get stimulation from those

your thoughts guys?

Injured!!

Squat 170kgx1 105kgx25
Dead 200x1
Decline Bench 80x6

im no expert and i dont train abs to look good but when i do i always enjoy steep decline situps with a plate behind the head. Failing around 3-5 reps for 5 sets

My Training Log!!!

ORIGINAL: just t

im no expert and i dont train abs to look good but when i do i always enjoy steep decline situps with a plate behind the head. Failing around 3-5 reps for 5 sets

ah ok mate.

when i do train them, which is pretty sporadic i do 3 sets on a machine where you can load up with plates to make either easier or harder and do maybe 20, 15 , 10 reps increasing weight each time.

Thing is i dont do them often enough, partly down to laziness i suppose

Injured!!

Squat 170kgx1 105kgx25
Dead 200x1
Decline Bench 80x6

Have you stopped training your biceps while cutting? No.. Why? Because you don't want to loose muscle mass.

Same goes for abs.

From what I've seen. Most the people that say squats/deads are enough for your abs havn't actualy seen them in years.


I hit them twice a week at the end of my squating sessions.

Age - 18
Bench - 95kg (at 63kg)
Deadlift - 120 (at 63kg)
Front Squat - 92.5kg (at 62kg)

Unless you are performance-driven, heavy compound lifts hit the abs plenty enough not to require additional work.

^conflicting stuff above guys!

Injured!!

Squat 170kgx1 105kgx25
Dead 200x1
Decline Bench 80x6

If you are squatting and deadlifting (I assume from your signature that you are), there is no need for additional core work for your abdominals if you are only interested in aesthetics and do not care about performance.

Can not get any simpler than that mate.

ORIGINAL: Integra

If you are squatting and deadlifting (I assume from your signature that you are), there is no need for additional core work for your abdominals if you are only interested in aesthetics and do not care about performance.

Can not get any simpler than that mate.

Bodybuilders don't train abs?

Age - 18
Bench - 95kg (at 63kg)
Deadlift - 120 (at 63kg)
Front Squat - 92.5kg (at 62kg)

ORIGINAL: jack5r

ORIGINAL: Integra

If you are squatting and deadlifting (I assume from your signature that you are), there is no need for additional core work for your abdominals if you are only interested in aesthetics and do not care about performance.

Can not get any simpler than that mate.

Bodybuilders don't train abs?

The OP is not a bodybuilder Jack.

ORIGINAL: Integra

ORIGINAL: jack5r

ORIGINAL: Integra

If you are squatting and deadlifting (I assume from your signature that you are), there is no need for additional core work for your abdominals if you are only interested in aesthetics and do not care about performance.

Can not get any simpler than that mate.

Bodybuilders don't train abs?

The OP is not a bodybuilder Jack.

He is training for aesthetics though, just like a body builder. Why do bodybuilders train abs, for fun?

Age - 18
Bench - 95kg (at 63kg)
Deadlift - 120 (at 63kg)
Front Squat - 92.5kg (at 62kg)

ORIGINAL: Integra

ORIGINAL: jack5r

ORIGINAL: Integra

If you are squatting and deadlifting (I assume from your signature that you are), there is no need for additional core work for your abdominals if you are only interested in aesthetics and do not care about performance.

Can not get any simpler than that mate.

Bodybuilders don't train abs?

The OP is not a bodybuilder Jack.

I'm trying to be (without much success....)

Injured!!

Squat 170kgx1 105kgx25
Dead 200x1
Decline Bench 80x6

ORIGINAL: Integra

If you are squatting and deadlifting (I assume from your signature that you are), there is no need for additional core work for your abdominals if you are only interested in aesthetics and do not care about performance.

Can not get any simpler than that mate.

agree!!!!

My Training Log!!!

ORIGINAL: jack5r

ORIGINAL: Integra

ORIGINAL: jack5r

ORIGINAL: Integra

If you are squatting and deadlifting (I assume from your signature that you are), there is no need for additional core work for your abdominals if you are only interested in aesthetics and do not care about performance.

Can not get any simpler than that mate.

Bodybuilders don't train abs?

The OP is not a bodybuilder Jack.

He is training for aesthetics though, just like a body builder. Why do bodybuilders train abs, for fun?

Bodybuilders train for performance Jack.

ORIGINAL: jack5r

From what I've seen. Most the people that say squats/deads are enough for your abs havn't actualy seen them in years.

how many people have you seen?

www.myprotein.co.uk
Training Article

I don't train abs very often, maybe once a fortnight! in which case I do crunches and leg raises for 3 or 4 x 15-20 reps. Used to train them heavily when I first started out.
I find Squats, Deadlifts, SLDL, Hyperextensions and a lot of other compound lifts work them pretty hard anyway and they provide more functional strength than any crunch/leg raise would.

I'm planning on training them a bit more frequently though to see what difference it makes, so time will tell.

If you are a bodybuilder though, it's generally not advisable to train abs using additional weight, unless you are actually aiming to build up a bigger midsection. The bodybuilders I do know who actually bother to train abs normally do like 15 - 20 rep sets just to stimulate the muscle rather than actually "build" them.

I agree with Jack to some degree though, it's probably a good idea to train them at least once a week if you can just to maintain. Although I've never really found that my abs got any smaller by not training them that often as they are involved in a lot of other exercises, I think it is probably a good idea to train your whole body regardless.

Damn, they are boring as f*ck to train though....lol

Bodybuilders don't train abs?

some guys dont, some pro's dont...dexter jackson doesnt !

Alot of guys at the gym who are big and they say they never train abs, yet they can clearly see their abs sticking out....Why would they lie ?

They're low bf % results in a flat stomach and the years of other exercises like Integra says has built them up and can now be shown.

Bench  - 100kg for 6

Deadlift - 160kg for 6 (w/ straps) 

In all honesty though i'm struggling to see mine. The only time i really saw mine (and they were pretty faint and i lost too much muscle was 3 years ago when i cut for my hols) - i'll post up a pic

Injured!!

Squat 170kgx1 105kgx25
Dead 200x1
Decline Bench 80x6

Injured!!

Squat 170kgx1 105kgx25
Dead 200x1
Decline Bench 80x6

ORIGINAL: BencherRdg

Not that far off mate, another 4-6 weeks cardio/diet shouldnt see much muscle loss if any.

It could be an overestimation of how much lean mass you have on your frame, this is quite common.

no mate that was 3 years ago! (see date on photo).

I'm bigger now (thankfully) but not as lean as that yet!

I was tryin to emphasis the fact that even when I was lean ish i was never really able to see my abs think is i get bored traning them - hence the question.

I think this is prob the leanest i'd ever been (that i can remember i mean!)

Injured!!

Squat 170kgx1 105kgx25
Dead 200x1
Decline Bench 80x6