Questions tagged [abdominals]

The abdomen (less formally called the belly, stomach, or tummy), in vertebrates such as mammals, constitutes the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis.

The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity. In arthropods it is the posterior tagma of the body; it follows the thorax or cephalothorax. Anatomically, the abdomen stretches from the thorax at the thoracic diaphragm to the pelvis at the pelvic brim. The pelvic brim stretches from the lumbosacral angle (the intervertebral disk between L5 and S1) to the pubic symphysis and is the edge of the pelvic inlet.

Wikipedia: Abdomen

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Effect on abs: leg raises vs crunches

What is the difference for my abs between raising my legs, and raising my body? I've heard that the whole lower abs/upper abs training is BS. It's like trying to train the lower or upper biceps.
Pierre B
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How often can a person work on their Abs?

In the past I've heard Abs are different from other muscle groups. You can work on your Abs everyday, but then I've also heard, Abs are like any other muscle groups. It needs rest for recovery. So, my question is, how often can you work on your…
KJYe.Name
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How to tighten abs while working out

The trainer at my gym always asks me to tighten the ab muscles while working on the ab area. I am always confused on the right way to tighten this ab area. I breath out and push my stomach outwards while doing ab workout but am unsure if this is the…
smyslov
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How does the handstand compare to the plank for abdominal training?

As part of a body weight circuit, I have been using the plank as the abdominal component. Additionally, I have been working on doing handstands, in preparation for doing handstand push ups. How well does a handstand compare to the plank for an…
ChargingPun
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Concerned that skipping ab exercises will have negative implications

I find that I never have time to focus on abs when I work out. If I continue to strengthen other parts of my body (I consistently do squats, deadlift, benchpress, shoulderpress) and continue to neglect working on core strength, will I run into…
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Are bigger AB wheels better?

I just bought a ab wheel and have been doing it for a few time by now but I noticed that a lot of videos on YouTube with ripped guys showing how to use the ab wheel they use much bigger wheels than mine. Are bigger wheels better than smaller wheels…
Freedo
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Why I never feel DOMS on my abs?

I'm doing pretty good exercises for my abs, but i never feel the usual pain i feel when i exercise other muscles, why ? And does this mean I'm not having progress or not doing enough ? I like to feel this pain and would like to feel it on abs too
Freedo
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Ab exercises following permanent back injury

I am trying to help a (male) friend who suffered back injury in a serious automobile accident several years ago. He cannot walk or stand for more than a few minutes at a time. He is a former US Army servicemember and is used to being much more…
Renee B
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Do crunches actually increase belly size?

Crunches is the go-to exercise for people wishing to reduce the belly. But wouldn't training the belly muscles actually increase the belly size? Given the fact that fat spot reduction is a myth, wouldn't we end with more mass by performing crunches…
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Does p90x ab-ripper work?

I recently found out about the p90x training program, but what interests me the most is it's ab-ripper. Has anyone tried it before? Any input is appreciated... :)
Owen
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Visceral fat or poor abdominal muscles?

How can I distinguish between them in some simple way? Sometimes after running or weightlifting it seems that my gut is quite flat. In fact abdominal muscles are visible when I try a posedown. But then when I relax, it seems that I have a big…
Peter Timoz
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What happens when someone does too many crunches?

If someone basically only do crunches (or other exercises with a similar contraction) for his abs (many people seem to be in this group), what would be the result? Would this be unhealthy? Should I complement them with other exercises?
Pierre B
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What does it mean to "isometrically contract" some muscles?

On p. 284, the book "Body Sculpting Bible for Men" talks about a form of crunches that can be used to train the abdominal muscles. The first step for the instructions for these crunches says: Start by isometrically contracting the abdominal…
x457812
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doing planks for abdominals training

What is the best way of doing planks for abdominals training? How many should one do in one session of training? Should one try to hold the longest possible every time or a set time for as many repetitions possible?
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Why do we exhale before doing reps in ab exercises?

Normally, we inhale before doing a rep in the typical lift. However, when comes to abs eg: wood chopper, crunch etc, it is often advised to exhale before doing the rep. Why?
tryst with freedom
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