Best ab exercise

[koto_ryu]

The bottom line is train for function first, and form will always follow; and if it doesn't, you sculpt it.

Even Arnold Schwarzeneggar, when he first started, he built up a whole huge amount of muscle, but then used isolation exercises to sculpt it.

People make them istake of thinking you make a bodybuilder physique by using solely isolation exercises, which isn't true. You use compound exercises to build up real true muscle and strength, then you sculpt it with isolation exercises.

Exactly Though sculpting's worthless imo

[Tom Yum]

Heavy lifts that strengthen the core are all about function but make you look thicker. Deadlifting 405 for sets of 8 for example.

Circuit training with high, explosive reps and low weight will give you speed, stamina and work rate which will indirectly make you look more cut and defined. An example is doing shoulder presses for 30 quick reps and going straight into parallel bar dips for 30 quick reps then 20 pullups...

The result is something that looks athletic but by no means muscular huge. Function over form any day. In most gyms though, you see the reverse.

Nothing wrong with lots of arm curls, tricep cable pull overs and butterflyes. In some arenas, its better to look more impressive. In others its better to be functional.

I knew a rare few people who did both amateur competitive powerlifting and bodybuilding. Usually, they did slightly better at powerlifting, because not only could they get insanely strong but also put on some muscle.

I'd imagine that pro-wrestlers are guys that could probably do both. Whatdya think Koto?

[koto_ryu]

The result is something that looks athletic but by no means muscular or huge. Function over form any day.

Damn right Tom. A small example for the unknowledgeable amongst us:



Dorian Yates. Usually does barbell curls with about 140lbs for six to eight reps.



Magnus Samuelson. Curling 405lbs for reps.

Sure Dorian looks a lot better, but I'd rather have the strength of Magnus, wouldn't you?

[Tom Yum]

I've seen Magnus many times on the strong man. Throwing telephone poles over a 20 foot wall aint easy

[Tom Yum]

Magnus Samuelson. Curling 405lbs for reps.

Glad to know that my deadlift is the same as this guys armcurl

[Jeremy Lobdell]

I will definitely defer to koto-ryu on this, as I am in complete agreement with him when it comes to exercise. I utelize sit ups from a decline bench while holding a plate acrossed my chest, then finish it off with knee and leg lifts with a roman chair. Works great and gets abs ( upper and lower ) obliques, and hip flexors.
Mahalo, Jeremy

[HtTKar]

you know, another one that I just thought about is swimming. I try to swim 1 mile (36 laps) 1-2 times a week. This really kills your obliques and improves overall body strength while also being a good cardiovascular exercise.

[koto_ryu]

I will definitely defer to koto-ryu on this, as I am in complete agreement with him when it comes to exercise. I utelize sit ups from a decline bench while holding a plate acrossed my chest, then finish it off with knee and leg lifts with a roman chair. Works great and gets abs ( upper and lower ) obliques, and hip flexors.
Mahalo, Jeremy

That's because great minds think alike The Roman Chair, quite possibly the best thing ever to happen to the abs.

[Jeremy Lobdell]

That's because great minds think alike The Roman Chair, quite possibly the best thing ever to happen to the abs.

Without a doubt! I don't know why everyone doesn't use one. It is definitely a core part of my workout routine.

[Broadsword2004]

Hanging leg raises, don't forget, and the Roman chair are the best things for abs.

Form is just nice to have (to me anyhow) because I am one of those art-loving, aesthetic types. I am a very aesthetic person; I love like the cover art done for lots of videogames and videogame posters, etc.....I am not much for stuff like Picasso or anything as that type of art is for seeing more the "inner" beauty, not the aesthetic beauty. For non-visual beauty, I love music or literature.

So to me, it just seems natural to keep a beautiful body too. So of course, be strong and functional, but have a nice, sculpted body, too

But yeah, put function over form anyday.

[Enzo566]

does anyone in here do bridges? They are an intense ab workout, that hits everything. its where u get into push up position, but go elboes down, and then you s hold youtself up, without letting anything touch the ground except toes and elbows, the farther u can stretch the harder it is... idk i love doing these i think they definitly work abs damn good, cause i feel it all over. Usually oin a straight front bridge i can hold i for about 2 minutes, but then im really shaking hard and it takes a little to catch my breath... And i also like it casue u can hit side oblicques by doing side bridges, I.E just do the same thing except sideways, and using one elbow or forearm in this case to balance and no touching frmo legs only feet. Those i can only do for about a minute and a half.

try them let me know what you think.

[@@@]

ive done bridges and i thought they would be piss easy but they are harder then they look.

[Enzo566]

**** yeah they are.. i urge u all to try them for an extended period of time they are tough.

[koto_ryu]

I hold a bridge every day just to stretch out my back. Can't recommend them highly enough. Also, as an addition recent studies have shown that the best overall ab exercise (which hits all your core muscles and works them the best) is in fact bicycles.

[Enzo566]

I hold a bridge every day just to stretch out my back. Can't recommend them highly enough. Also, as an addition recent studies have shown that the best overall ab exercise (which hits all your core muscles and works them the best) is in fact bicycles.

i know bridges work on the "front abdominals" cause i can straight up feel the burn. but like as far as love handles area, do u think side bridges are the best way? Cause like when i do them i feel burn, but as stupid as it sounds i cant really tell if its my side lower back or my side abdominals.