FitnessFreak: Yet one more abs question

[Aquajock]

Hi, FF! I've noticed on past threads that you recommend only working the abdominal area twice per week; could you expand on that please and describe, in your valued opinion, the optimal mix of drills or protocols (supine crunch work; prone and/or side plank work; stability ball work; weighted crunches; long-lever recruitment {as in Muscle Endurance's drills}; duration of each set; etc.) in each week's overall schedule?

My own trunk area is starting to thicken up a tad, and I'd like to play around with my ab/core routine a bit. Traditionally I've worked the core area four times per week, three sessions of which are land based and the fourth is aquatic. Usually the land sessions include a mix of prone plank work and supine crunch work, sometimes on the stability ball and sometimes with weighted work as well.

TIA!

A-Jock

 

[Fitnessfreak366]

Hi there A-Jock! How are you doing, girl?

I find working abs twice a week - just like you would work any other muscle group when building - is all the abs need. Plus when your lifting weights, your abs are always engaged. There are times I'll do a weight training workout and no abs and the next day my abs are screaming at me.

Some people swear to working abs every day - and hey - if it works for you, then have at it. But I'm an avid believer that you can overtrain your abs just like any other muscle group.

The best results I get for my abs are plank work, inverted pykes on the stability ball and any type of lower ab work like bicycle or leg lifts. I usually just do Cathe's ab work when I do abs. I love KP&C ab work, SJ&P, ME, C&W, LIC, BM2, etc. Cathe's ab workouts are the best, imo. Hands down, she covers all the bases.

 

[Aquajock]

Thanks, Debbie! Your favorite Cathe routines are also my own, and I too get the most bang for my buck with plank work and long-lever-leg ab drills.

Thanks for your time and info!

a-Jock