when and where do you train you abs?

when and where do you train you abs? after workout at gym or at home on non-workout days? and how many times a week?

i do a couple of weighted sets after my workouts 2-3 times a week. i

Not directly trained abbs in a year or more. However even before that have not done many blocks of consistent abb works for what must be going on 5 years.

I only ever train abs at the gym. I used to do a few sit-ups and crunches but found them pretty useless compared to what you can do with some proper equipment. Plus I always feel more focused at the gym. I'd say I train abs probably three times a week. I find them the most enjoyable to train, even if sometimes it makes me a bit sick.

I train them 2 times a week with some core work, plus the extra work from compound stuff

Never. They get worked in almost everything else.

Reborn


Never. They get worked in almost everything else.

 
x2

Every 3 days at home. Got a sit up bench so do reverse crunches followed by sit ups on it.

And for those who train them consistently, can you see them and if you can what bodyfat are you?  If you are a low bodyfat, how much cardio do you do?

I can see them when I contract them. Not sure of my bodyfat. Upping the cardio now for 2012 and the weights. Working out 6 days a week. Just done 20mins on the bike. Burned 281cals. Or so it says! Lol That works out at 4.15hrs required on the bike at the same intensity to burn just 1lb of fat. Assuming you only used fat calories for energy and no glycogen, which wouldn't be the case but still...that's' lot of work! Makes me laugh at those fat burners tbh. Burning calories creates heat. I was sweating all over just burning those 281 cals. Any fat burner that tries to pretend it can melt away the fat is lying. Unless you're really sweating you can't be burning much cals! Sorry for going off topic and rambling!

I'm starting to see my abs, it's a gradual thing for me though because I was a skinny f*ck four months ago (I've put on a stone in that time). I do twelve hours of cardio on an average week, but that's all at work - I have to eat loads to make up for that.

Not done direct ab work for about 8 years now I reckon, not done core work for about 1 year either

Twice a week usually at the gym at the end of a lifting session, if I'm waiting for a piece of equipment I might start doing them then though!
 
I add that I was training them more often until I was told otherwise!

Can't be bothered to train them during a workout so whenever I feel like it at night in front of the TV as I often do high reps, but at the mo its just 1 set of crunches and leg raises 60-100 reps each probably 2-3 times a week.
 
No science behind it but I did very high rep sets when I used to compete and my abs were always a strong point so it worked for me.

dirtyvest


Not done direct ab work for about 8 years now I reckon, not done core work for about 1 year either

Why is that dirtyvest?

Cos I honestly feel there is no need to really. I never wear a belt, do lots of work than stimulates abs and core anyway so they do alright

Ok. Just to check I'd some a few mins of sit ups one day and see if you're sore at all the following day. Thats a good way of knowing if the muscles are really been hit during your other exercises.

I never do 'ab' work, I do trunk conditioning which is during squats, deads, bench etc.
One of the most damaging effects for the spinal health is spinal flexion with resistance and it is not a necessary exercise.
As others have eluded to above you can show your 'rectus abdominus' muscles with less than about 19% BF.
 

WhiteSnake


Ok. Just to check I'd some a few mins of sit ups one day and see if you're sore at all the following day. Thats a good way of knowing if the muscles are really been hit during your other exercises.

no its not!
 
you use your abs for core stability as part of a group of muscles.  doing some crunches your isolating them, and using them as spinal flexors.
 
so you could have a perfect functioning core, and still get doms from a few crunches, it would mean nothing!
 
you get the worst doms from doing exercises that you dont normally do,  and you can get doms by doing the most ridiculous of exercises.  a couple thousand lat raises with a can of coke in your hand will give you doms, doesnt mean you should train like that though!

go through periods of doing them.  like now im doing them x2 per week on cardio days.  my abs are pretty big anyway i shouldnt really be doing them.  but i feel it makes me look better in the midsection if ive got abs popping out, even if my bf isnt that low..  my mate has the best abs iv ever seen my goals is to at least try get near him..  for some reason people love abs

 
After legs they get done