Bodybuilding.net - Bodybuilding Forum - View Single Post

EricT · 07-13-2007, 05:15 PM

The only thing I would say is there is a big difference between the weighted ab work everyone is talking about and the actual role your abs as a whole play in terms of squats, deadlifts, and such. Have you ever stopped to think that the job in that regard is to PREVENT movement not to promote it?

Now I'm a big proponent of weighted flexion, side flexion, etc. And I agree that the real "core" work goes on when you are pulling heavy deads and such. But there are many, many trainees who feel all these movements mostly in the back despite all that heavy ab strengthening work. Because all these things make your abs stronger but they don't actually teach them to do their job. To some extent just doing the squats and deads, should be enough but if your erectors have been taking the brunt of the load in terms of stabibility for long enough they will continue to do so despite heavy flexion and side flexion work. In other words doing hanging leg raises and such will make you better at doing hanging leg raises. That strength will play a part but not until the abs are "turned on" during the heavy work.

I would recommend actual stabibility work for many people. I like single leg movements a lot. Also bridges/planks to start and front squats, zercher squats, heavy barbell walkouts and all that sort of thing. Another thing that really works well for this is to do a plate squat. You take a heavy plate and hold it out in front of you and squat. Makes for a very heavy isometric contraction of the abs. Basically if you feel like it all in the back despite everything you try then this sort of thing should help get your abs working into the equation.