ABs - Need workout suggestions

[Marie17]

I need to really just work on my abs.

Here's my routine now. Go to the gym - stairmaster, treadmill, cross trainer, bike (30-40 minutes on one and another for 20-25 minutes). Choose different ones on whatever strikes my fancy that day.

Then I go do the "machines" to work/tone my hamstrings and quadriceps and arms - again changing up.

Once I'm all done. I go to the sauna. I'll start it up so it takes a few minutes to actually get warm. While I am waiting to really sweat I do my abs. I lie down on the bench area and do some sit-ups, cross over ab work, crunches and some holds (try to count up to ten). How long do you work on your abs - daily or every other day - how many reps?

I am wondering should I just specifically work on one muscle area of my abs on a given day or work on all of them everyday but just not as long. ???

What do you to try to get that extra fat off? Do you follow a routine? If I had enough money I would just lipo off the extra that I don't want but since I don't have that much extra money to blow on sucking it out I need to find a way to help it reduce.

Thanks!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

It sounds like your ab work is ok Keep working on what you are doing. I am making an assumption by your post that you tend to carry the extra padding in your tummy area. If so you can have a major set of abs and that padding is going to be there still. Our “excess” areas are still where we have them, and overall weight reduction will allow for it to come off, but it will come off overall. I am certain if you keep working on the toning and working on healthy eating choices, that the muscles you are strengthening, and overall fat reduction you are seeing will give results.

You might try adding Yoga or Pilates to help stretch and tone the overall area, but I think you’ve got a good routine going.

Good luck and keep on keepin' on!

 

[JMD]

How long do you work on your abs - daily or every other day - how many reps?

Abs need rest just like every other muscle. Would you work your legs everyday? 2 times a week is good, 3 might be possible depending on the volume of your workouts.

I am wondering should I just specifically work on one muscle area of my abs on a given day or work on all of them everyday but just not as long. ???

Just work your abs as a whole. I'll save the debate on whether or not isolating various sections of your abdominals is even possible.

What do you to try to get that extra fat off? Do you follow a routine?

You can't spot reduce, so you need to decrease overall bodyfat and the fat around your abs will decrease proportionately. Work on your diet and maybe add in some extra cardio to help with the stubborn fat.

 

[goinducky]

I use the Denise Austin tape Hit the Spot Abs 10 min segments. Each segment covers all areas, but it does seem in the one I have that each segment zeros in on a specific area, one concentrates on the obliques, one on the lower stomach and one on the upper stomach.

 

[Marie17]

Absolute Abs - done 3 times a week - 15 minute class at Gold's

Other days - I just go to the sauna and do some ab work - not as intense as the class but a little. I figure that I could most probably work on my core just about daily - just less intensity.

I am trying to get my waist & hips slimmed down by about another 2-4 inches. Waist is currently 30 and I would like it to be between 26-28 inches.
Main problem is my little pooch from all my kids (5 of them) so I know that some of that most probably won't ever go away but I am trying.

 

[JMD]

If your trying to reduce bodyfat, then diet and cardio is the key. Doing extra ab work won't reduce fat in that area. 3 days a week should be enough for abs, the other days focus on weight training and cardio.

 

[Marie17]

That's what I am trying to do - reduce my overall bodyfat. I am watching my diet by basically not overeating at meals and no more soda and just moving more.

I currently do cardio practically daily - 5 or 6 times a week for about an hour between two machines (stairmaster, crosstrainer, treadmill, bike - just pick two of them). I am just beginning to really get into the BodyPump class two days a week so I am adding that for weight training and cardio and the days I take that class I only do between 20-30 minutes on one machine for an additional cardio workout.

I really didn't know that you shouldn't work your abs everyday. I figured since that is such a core muscle group that it would actually benefit me (back and posture) if it was worked more than just 3 times a week.



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[r3ngels]

Some really good ideas here... I really need AB help too I have the pilates ab ball with the DVD that goes with it.

 

[MickeySP]

My Ab workout - 150/200 crunches 5 days a week.

Hey it worked for Britney Spears, she used to 700 a day!!!