Hello, sorry if this is going to sound like all the other “make me a routine” post but I really don’t want it to turn into that.
What I'm wondering is there a workout routine on this site that will comply with my all abdominal routine that I am going to be sticking to? I'm basically looking for something that will help me lose weight but more so help build muscle. I know that this is kinda an oxymoron from what I have been reading on here (losing weight becoming more defined/putting on a little muscle mass) I have been looking for a good routine on here that will help me put on muscle mass but they all require me to alter my diet to eating more calories/fats/carbs etc and I don't wish to do that.
So basically if someone could lead me in the right direction that would be great because I have been searching the forums for awhile and not getting anywhere fast. Thank you.
Is your ab routine really THAT good? probably not. Use your time more productively, and do some big lifts. You want a six pack, and that’s okay. But it won’t be made by doing thousands of ab exercises each week–despite what Men’s Health tells you. Focus on your diet, and getting some intense gym time in the form of big “money” exercises (squat, deadlift, rows, presses).
A beginner can build muscle and lose weight at the same time but after the initial period you will have to decide what’s more important, muscle gain or fat loss. You can’t do both at the same time. However you can alternate frequently between the 2 and achieve essentially the same thing.
I agree with boyscout about the ab training. The “money” exercises will work you core better than ab exercises. Don’t train abs any more frequent than any other muscle. You need to let them recover in order to strengthen and build your muscles.
[quote]stuward wrote:
A beginner can build muscle and lose weight at the same time but after the initial period you will have to decide what’s more important, muscle gain or fat loss. You can’t do both at the same time. However you can alternate frequently between the 2 and achieve essentially the same thing.
[/quote]
To a certain extent this is true, although it is possible to lose fat and build muscle at the same time, it’s just at a painfully slow rate in most cases. I agree though that especially for beginners it will be more dramatic.
Really, if you keep your calories at a maintenance level then you can have some “weight shift” where your scale weight won’t increase, but the ratio of muscle to fat will. This of course depends on your body fat levels though. If you’re ripped to begin with, it might still happen but once again, it’ll be practically un-noticeable. If you start out overweight, then the effect will be much more pronounced.
[quote]
I agree with boyscout about the ab training. The “money” exercises will work you core better than ab exercises. Don’t train abs any more frequent than any other muscle. You need to let them recover in order to strengthen and build your muscles.
Stu[/quote]
On top of that, who really wants a big muscular midsection? Not many people. Sure, some guys (like powerlifters, strongmen, olympic lifters) need to have really strong spinal stabilizers in order to prevent injury. But the average person (or even bodybuilder) who just wants a six pack really probably doesn’t want to bulk up their midsection. That will sort of destroy the “X” shape effect that many are going for.
I’d agree with both Steward and Boyscout, focus on the basics and eating a clean diet and the results you’re looking for will come. If you want to throw in some ab exercises (read on one day, or a couple sets a couple times per week) feel free. But do not build an entire program around your “core” muscles.
So I have started on the The Waterbury Method and like it but I have seen the The Waterbury Method revised cannot remember who it is by though and that looks like something I would be more interested. I was wondering if I did either one of those and on a off day which I will still be playing some intense basketball I could do my ab workout?
Or should I just stick the The Waterbury Method or revised one and throw some ab exercises in there at the of the workouts? Thanks a lot this has been a lot of help to me so far. Much appreciated!
Okay I have been searching this site like crazy, ready, studying, learning all the good stuff I should know and have not even learned 1/8 of the knowledge available here. But I have decided to pretty much scrap my entire ab routine basically except for a few exercises that I will fit in at the end of my routine before I go to play basketball.
My question right now is I am at 182lbs right now I believe (weighed myself 2 days ago) and I looking to become more lean but dont really want to lose any muscle mass but rather put some on. But I really want to focus on losing body fat to show my abs.
Now for the question when I eventually get my abs and I decide to go on a loading phase how much will my abs go away or will it be possible for me to keep my abs looking good while also eating an excess amount of calories to bulk up on.