Ab workouts - feel like I’ve been duped

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Core strength is one of the single best things you can do for your overall health. And yes, even without losing weight, having a strong core will make you carry the weight you have differently.

I don't feel like this is a secret? This is a major reason behind the popularity of workouts like barre and pilates which tend not to be that aerobic (and thus don't burn as many calories as other things) but focus on core strength and stability.

"Core strength" yes, but that's not just ab strength. It has to be paired with back, pelvic floor and diaphragm (the four sides of the "core") or bad things happen. My postpartum PT told me she sees a lot of teenage girl runners who go to town with crunches, planks etc and end up incontinent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Core strength is one of the single best things you can do for your overall health. And yes, even without losing weight, having a strong core will make you carry the weight you have differently.

I don't feel like this is a secret? This is a major reason behind the popularity of workouts like barre and pilates which tend not to be that aerobic (and thus don't burn as many calories as other things) but focus on core strength and stability.

"Core strength" yes, but that's not just ab strength. It has to be paired with back, pelvic floor and diaphragm (the four sides of the "core") or bad things happen. My postpartum PT told me she sees a lot of teenage girl runners who go to town with crunches, planks etc and end up incontinent.

"A lot"? Or "I have seen this"?

Most ab workouts will work your entire core, if they are any good. People call them "ab workouts" because that's the area they want to target. But unless you are working your entire core, you are unlikely to see results.

Also, planks can work your entire core if you do it correctly and if you do a lot of variations where you hold the plank through movement (which will force you to engage your full core to maintain stability). I wouldn't to it to the exlclusion of all other things but it's an incredibly useful tool in building ab strength in a way that "crunches" (which are basically useless) are not.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at the other thread Mom Pooch silver bullet? https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1106809.page or ... it is actually about diastasis recti. Could be a lot of women are going around with separated ab muscles and once they start an ab workout they tighten those babies right up and yes, you can lose inches.

[Anonymous]

To have truly visible abs you need to get down to around 10% body fat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To have truly visible abs you need to get down to around 10% body fat.

Yes, as far as a 6 pack goes, but you can achieve cuts and lines by strengthening your transverse abs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I started strength training in Dec. and decided to focus on building muscle over losing weight. Just by upping my protein and doing a 20 min functional strength training 5 days a week, I've not only gotten stronger, I've lost 3 lbs. I'm following Nourish Move Love's Strong in 20 program. For ab, check out Caroline Girvan. And try with weights! Just make sure you are increasing your daily protein.

Thanks so much for sharing this! Exactly what I'm looking for!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To have truly visible abs you need to get down to around 10% body fat.

Yes, as far as a 6 pack goes, but you can achieve cuts and lines by strengthening your transverse abs.

Still depends on how much fat is hiding them. Just working your abs doesn't necessarily translate into them being visible not matter how much your work them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To have truly visible abs you need to get down to around 10% body fat.

Yes, as far as a 6 pack goes, but you can achieve cuts and lines by strengthening your transverse abs.

Still depends on how much fat is hiding them. Just working your abs doesn't necessarily translate into them being visible not matter how much your work them.

Stronger will change your shape for the better, visible or not. This goes back to what people have said for years. It is demotivating and honestly not sure I understand your point. Multiple people have said they see improvements and don’t need to be at 10% fat or close to that to see visible improvement in a fairly short time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're confused. Everyone has abs. You mean strong, visible abs. Of course you won't have visible abs unless you aren't surrounding them with A LOT OF fat. This is completely dependent on how overweight you are.

I think everyone reading this knew what OP meant. Thanks for mansplaning tho

Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To have truly visible abs you need to get down to around 10% body fat.

Yes, as far as a 6 pack goes, but you can achieve cuts and lines by strengthening your transverse abs.

Still depends on how much fat is hiding them. Just working your abs doesn't necessarily translate into them being visible not matter how much your work them.

Stronger will change your shape for the better, visible or not. This goes back to what people have said for years. It is demotivating and honestly not sure I understand your point. Multiple people have said they see improvements and don’t need to be at 10% fat or close to that to see visible improvement in a fairly short time.

Then don’t do an “an specific workout” just do a core job routine or core heavy routine.

I never said don’t workout or don’t do an exercises. If you want to be generally overall healthy you don’t need to target one muscle group.