I was always under the impression abs should be done at the end of the workout. Is there evidence to back this up. My only thought was that if you fatigue your core before heavy lifting, your spine or torso will have less support.That’s the only reason i could think of. I was going to tell someone in the gym to keep his abs for the end, but didnt feel like telling him without a proper reason for it. let me know what your thoughts are and can anyone find an article regarding abs and when to work them
http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1735432
Try this way - I find it helps.
If you do them at the beginning, you run the risk of having your core being fried for compound movements later on in the workout.
[quote]Whey Man wrote:
If you do them at the beginning, you run the risk of having your core being fried for compound movements later on in the workout. [/quote]
Right, which will also greatly increase your risk of injury.
That being said, it also depends on what types of exercises the person is doing. A completely machine based workout probably isn’t going to suffer from doing abs at the beginning. On the other hand, doing squats, deadlifts and military presses after doing abs is a fast lane to potential injury.
Keep in mind that one of the functions of the “core” muscles is spinal stabilization. If you exhaust them at the beginning of the workout, they’re going to be much less efficient at performing this function later in the workout.
I do abs on my back day,at the end.
The problem is that at that point I’m so tired that I do very little…
Also if you train abs using non-erectile (I know sounds sooo bad) movements such as crunch variations or any movements that curls your body you also risk:
relaxation of lower back stabilizers → less tension → less stbaility → more injury
The tightening of several tendons (typically going from your legs to your back) that will lead to inflexibility in squats, lunges and for some reason overhead pressing (keeps you from tilting at the hips I suppose)
So if you need to train abdominal erectors specifically then use stabilization stuff like hold a press over head or front squats or thrusters. L-sits are also good because your back doesn’t (or shouldn’t) bend. Rotational movements are also awesome.
Bottom line: avoid curling your body and doing crunches.
-chris