AB's

[tractor]

I don't have any, well I might, but they are my least favorite thing to work on. What exercise do you like the best? I need to try something new. As I loose more body fat, instead of a six pack, you can see my spine.

[RoadToRiches]

You need to drop to 10% bf or less to see your abs.

Abs start in the kitchen. Keep working out and eat right. You will see them some day. You have them, but they are just covered with fat.

[cael]

AB's


someday I will have them!!

I'm hoping the strength training and pilates classes I've just started might help. I used to have a much nicer midsection than I do now... it isn't awful but needs work.

[Miss Tequila]

May 5, 2011 14:57:44 GMT -5 RoadToRiches said:

You need to drop to 10% bf or less to see your abs.

Abs start in the kitchen. Keep working out and eat right. You will see them some day. You have them, but they are just covered with fat.

[Artemis Windsong]

Just like the rest of your muscles, they need a variety of exercises. The abs are just one portion of the core that needs strengthening. On machines, the back extension, ab machine and rotary.

Pull ups, chin ups, dips, hanging leg raises. The hlr in a swimming pool adds difficulty. An add on there is scissors and bicycle move. The scissors and bicycle with a regular floor leg lift and circles.

First lay on your back and push your abs in and up toward your rib cage to get them in the correct position. In that position, tighten and hold your abs in.

The frog. Lay on your back, arms up and feet up then tighten every thing lifting with your abs and hold. This move can be done prone with arms up and legs up like superman.

Incline bench sit ups with a turn to each side. Additional weight can be added to the situp and the turn.

The plank with some of it's variations are great for core work. The basic plank for 1.5 minutes hold three times. Plank bridge is lift one arm straight out and the opposite leg and hold. These two can be done from the supine position.

Side plank is the same with the variation of an arm held straight up and/or a reach under. Another side plank is the pulse up and down on each side.

I look at the fitness magazines online for ab ideas and arm variations.

[tractor]

May 5, 2011 14:57:44 GMT -5 RoadToRiches said:

You need to drop to 10% bf or less to see your abs.

Abs start in the kitchen. Keep working out and eat right. You will see them some day. You have them, but they are just covered with fat.

While I won't disagree that mine are covered in fat (although less every week), I was wondering what the best way to build them up would be so there is something to see when the fat's all gone. I would expect that they also need to have some mass in order to be visible. So what do you do? crunches, sit ups, etc. I doubt everyone just ignores them hoping that they will be there someday.

[pig]

"You need to drop to 10% bf or less to see your abs."

That's really all there is to it. I never ever really worked abs. They get enough work from heavy compound exercises like squats and dead lifts. And they are one muscle that doesn't get overly big no matter what (even if you take steroids). I don't see any reason to do them unless you have really crappy ones to begin with.

In that case there are three area you have to work out. Upper, lower and serratus. Upper is worked in exercises where you bring your head towards your lower body, lower are worked where you bring your legs up towards your head and the serratus by twisting motion of your torso.

[Deleted]

I don't care about having defined abs, I just want to keep a flat stomach. Since I demand it of my partner, I think it's only fair.

[pig]

I don't care about having defined abs

It isn't very practical for women. Normal body fat for women precludes them and isn't healthy. That's why while you see many guys at the gym who will sport them you don't see any women with them unless they are fitness models or bodybuilders. I don't think a "ripped" woman is all that attractive.

[Deleted]

I don't think a "ripped" woman is all that attractive.

That's good to hear. Then you should think I'm hot.

[DebMD (banned)]

.
You can see the start of my 6 pack abs and I'm pretty sure I have more than 10% body fat.

I am not a fitness model or professional weight lifter but I do work out on a regular basis at home with free weights.

In addition to my compound moves... I do reverse crunches with 5 lb ankle weights.
.

[cael]

We do reverse crunches in one of the classes I'm doing right now, and man, what a workout (for me at least). My middle is still feeling it & class was Monday morning. I love it! Hoping to start seeing some real results - the last week or two my pants have been feeling looser than they usually do, I'm excited!

Ripped woman creep me out, like hardcore female bodybuilders? Yuck. I just want to look sleek and toned, not scary muscley!