Core Work

allwildgirl

allwildgirl

Cathlete
I work my core almost every day. I either do a segment of Coremax, the abs from KPC or the abs from Body Max. Am I overworking? Should I only work core a certain number of times a week?

Any input would be appreciated.
 
Hi Shelley,

I have been working my abs/core everday for the last three weeks, and I must say, they are looking really good. I am seeing some nice cuts and my stomach is flatter.

I think that if you are using weights, then you should put a rest day in between core work, but if you are just doing standard ab work, then do what works for you.

Tammy
 
Thanks Tammy. Since I've been working my core harder, I'm getting a six pack, but I thought I read somewhere on here that working core every day is too much.
 
I saw that too, but I thought that was only if you are using weights...

All I know for sure is that I am tacking on 10 minutes of ab work everyday, and on the weekends 30 minutes of ab work (a 10 min ab section + one of the core maxes) and my abs are looking fab.

Now, if I could figure out what to do with my thighs, I would be one happy camper!!!

Tammy
 
This is what I've heard (I don't know how true it is though because I think everybody should experiment and do what works better for them)... If you work your core every day your body will try to get rid of the fat around that area, this is in addition to cardio which works in lowering your overall body fat percentage; you might see some definition doing this because you will be working your muscles, but not noticeable growth in the ab muscles. Remember that muscle has to rest to grow. If you want a six pack (a really noticeable one not just the cuts) then you have to work your core extremely hard 3-4 days a week, leaving a day of rest in between. This is in addition to eating well and doing enough cardio.
 
Shelley....I think Rose is right, you have to experiment to find what's right for you. I am a believer that every day might not be the best. I am trying out one of Cathe's abs: MM, ME, HSC, KPC, SJP and then one of the Coremax segments/premixes 3-4 times a week and so far I am really liking the results...:)...Carole
 
I used to do my abs about 3 times a week and never noticed any results. As of this month I do them 6 times a week and I suddenly actually have a waist.... and my abs start showing. Still too much flab on top, but boy they've never looked so good.

Guess we're all different and we have to find out what works best.

Dutchie:)
 
Dutchie, I think thats it, anyone that wants to get their waist smaller and slim that area maybe should work them everyday, THEN!!!
when you get the over laying fat gone, maybe then go to 3 to 4 times a week working them hard.... just a suggestion, this has worked for me. MAY NOT be for everyone, but it works for some.....

Rhonda:7


and I know in freestyle training, the abs are worked daily anyway, and it works for them.... so different strokes for different folks:7
 
>>I'm getting a six pack

Hey wait, Shelley, it looks like you already have a six pack! Are you working on an eight pack?!? :)

Angie
 
>>I'm getting a six pack

Hey wait, Shelley, it looks like you already have a six pack! Are you working on an eight pack?!?

LOL Angie. I did have those cuts down the sides of my abs, if you're talking about my Pictrail pic. But now I'm actually getting the six pack definition - you can see the three sets of muscles. It's either that or, unbeknownst to me, I swallowed 6 beer cans:p
 
I have always heard you should work your abs like any other muscle in the body - allowing a day of rest between workouts. But, based on the results that others are getting from doing core work every day, I may have to change my routine! I say do whatever works for you, and if working abs every day works for you Shelley, then that's what you should do. :D
 
I think that if you are working your core everyday and don't feel DOMS the next day, it is okay. If you're working core everyday to the point of being sore you should definitely rest the following day. That's the rule I go by, anyway.
 
I work my abs/core M-F usually and I have nice definition despite the flab on top. I try to do a variety of workouts throughout the week.

Erica
 
Shelley--you might have heard that from me. Years ago I would do 2-300 crunches per day maybe 5-6 times per week. I got absolutely no results. Then I took an abs class (not an exercise class but an educational class) that said if you wanted a six pack you should work your abs like all other muscles b/c the idea was to build the muscles, not shrink them, which will occur w/overtraining.

So, I started working my abs twice a week, 2 exercises, four sets of 15 each w/weights. I finally started seeing results. Pretty amazing results.

I've recently jumped on the "core" bandwagon, mostly b/c of this forum. I feel like I've hit a plateau w/the weighted workout so I'm switching things up a little. Now I'm doing the weighted workout once a week at the gym, Core Max once a week, & pilates once a week. (that's right--as I've pointed out before I have no life LOL) Anyway I've only been doing it for two weeks now so it's too early to see the results, but it has been fun experimenting & trying new things. :)
 
There is a difference between having a flat belly and a six pack. I have all seen all those women with extremely flat stomachs and maybe some cuts but no six pack, I have also seen some guys with a tiny little gut and when they lift their shirts they have six packs and there are also people that have both a flat stomach and a six pack (this is what I would like for my and my SO by the way :p) The PTs at the gym I used to go did what I mentioned before, when people that had a extra fat in the ab area (e.g. sedentary people, women that just had a baby, etc.) went to the gym they made them do abs (crunches and crunch variations with no resistance) almost every day. The workouts were short maybe 8-10 mins for abs. As their abs got stronger and they had less overall body fat (due to cardio and a good diet) then the ab workouts were longer and less frequent. Resistance was also added to their workouts, medicine balls, dumbbells, and ab machines were used. This is also the way that I saw bodybuilders train their abs, 3 times a week, 20-30 mins, some traditional ab exercises without resistance, the newest ones with resistance (i.e. the ones with stability balls, medicine balls, and dumbbells), some pilates matwork exercises, and the machines.
 
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