Posted: 2/4/2014 1:09:48 PM EDT
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I do at least some ab work every day. Some days I do a lot...maybe 1000 or more reps total between the various exercises I'm doing, some days less...maybe 150-250 reps total.
Is there a point of diminishing returns in terms of total reps...or a magic number for better results? Ultimately, I may just be bored and looking for new ideas. Thanks for the input. |
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Endurance is not an issue.
My main priority is core strength, with definition being secondary. Both are decent. I do add weight to incline sit ups, oblique work, and some variations of leg lifts. After typing this out, I feel pretty certain my main issue is boredom. Rather than rep after rep, I think I might like to work in quicker work to failure...with and without weights. I'm laughing thinking about "Eight Minute Abs" "Seven Minute Abs" from Something About Mary. |
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but again, what is the goal?
If you are looking for strength (and hypertrophy, really), that can (and should) be accomplished in many fewer reps/sets with added weight, variety, etc. Try planks, standing cable/band crunches, leg raises, windshield wipers, McGill sit ups, Russian twists, sledge hammer work, etc. Don't forget to work your hips and lower back. |
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Quoted:
Deadlifts, squats, high pulls, clean and press and pullups build overall body and also core strength. Defined abs are made in the kitchen. THIS You are not really accomplishing anything doing 1000 of different types of crunches, other than giving your abs extreme endurance. If you want a strong core lift heavy shit. I guarantee a guy with a 600 lbs squat and 700 lb deadlift have a MUCH stronger core than a guy that can do 1000 crunches. |
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Quoted:
I do at least some ab work every day. Some days I do a lot...maybe 1000 or more reps total between the various exercises I'm doing, some days less...maybe 150-250 reps total. Is there a point of diminishing returns in terms of total reps...or a magic number for better results? Ultimately, I may just be bored and looking for new ideas. Thanks for the input. I think you've crossed that threshold. |
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Quoted:
THIS You are not really accomplishing anything doing 1000 of different types of crunches, other than giving your abs extreme endurance. If you want a strong core lift heavy shit. I guarantee a guy with a 600 lbs squat and 700 lb deadlift have a MUCH stronger core than a guy that can do 1000 crunches. Quoted:
Quoted:
Deadlifts, squats, high pulls, clean and press and pullups build overall body and also core strength. Defined abs are made in the kitchen. THIS You are not really accomplishing anything doing 1000 of different types of crunches, other than giving your abs extreme endurance. If you want a strong core lift heavy shit. I guarantee a guy with a 600 lbs squat and 700 lb deadlift have a MUCH stronger core than a guy that can do 1000 crunches. Oh, I squat, and deadlift…but this is the million dollar question for your reply: define heavy? I gotta be honest, my 15 years of selling spine implants has me jaded against lifting "heavy"…good form or not. I know there are LOTS of people who never get injured, and actually prevent injury…but I have personal experience with hundreds of people who are on the bad luck side of this equation also. Thanks for all of the replies. Think I'll back it way down for a while and try a few new exercises. |
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Oh, I squat, and deadlift…but this is the million dollar question for your reply: define heavy? I gotta be honest, my 15 years of selling spine implants has me jaded against lifting "heavy"…good form or not. I know there are LOTS of people who never get injured, and actually prevent injury…but I have personal experience with hundreds of people who are on the bad luck side of this equation also. Thanks for all of the replies. Think I'll back it way down for a while and try a few new exercises. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Deadlifts, squats, high pulls, clean and press and pullups build overall body and also core strength. Defined abs are made in the kitchen. THIS You are not really accomplishing anything doing 1000 of different types of crunches, other than giving your abs extreme endurance. If you want a strong core lift heavy shit. I guarantee a guy with a 600 lbs squat and 700 lb deadlift have a MUCH stronger core than a guy that can do 1000 crunches. Oh, I squat, and deadlift…but this is the million dollar question for your reply: define heavy? I gotta be honest, my 15 years of selling spine implants has me jaded against lifting "heavy"…good form or not. I know there are LOTS of people who never get injured, and actually prevent injury…but I have personal experience with hundreds of people who are on the bad luck side of this equation also. Thanks for all of the replies. Think I'll back it way down for a while and try a few new exercises. How many of those implants do you think go to folks who are regular weightlifters? I'd wager that it is close to zero, and that the majority go to people who do not do much exercise at all. "Heavy" is a relative term. For me it is the amount of weight that I can move with proper form for 1-3 reps. Some chick in Russia probably uses that same weight to warm up. 
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Quoted:
How many of those implants do you think go to folks who are regular weightlifters? I'd wager that it is close to zero, and that the majority go to people who do not do much exercise at all. "Heavy" is a relative term. For me it is the amount of weight that I can move with proper form for 1-3 reps. Some chick in Russia probably uses that same weight to warm up.
Lots, and you would lose that wager. I believe I'm overdoing the ab work, and will cut back total reps, and make the lower number of reps more difficult, and that was the point of the OP. There are a few things that will ensure the future of the spine market: fat people, people who smoke, fat people who smoke, people in their 40s-50s who try to train like a 20 year old college athlete, and my soon to be favorite…crossfitters. Not all mind you, but a significant enough number that allows for sustained growth in my market. |
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Quoted:
Smoking causes spine damage? Or is there another correlation? The vasculature of vertebral bodies and discs is very poor. Smoking is a vasoconstrictor…restricts blood flow…and subsequently causes weakening of those weight bearing structures and decreased elasticity in the discs. |
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Quoted:
The vasculature of vertebral bodies and discs is very poor. Smoking is a vasoconstrictor…restricts blood flow…and subsequently causes weakening of those weight bearing structures and decreased elasticity in the discs. Quoted:
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Smoking causes spine damage? Or is there another correlation? The vasculature of vertebral bodies and discs is very poor. Smoking is a vasoconstrictor…restricts blood flow…and subsequently causes weakening of those weight bearing structures and decreased elasticity in the discs. Interesting. I would have never imagined that. |
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Quoted: The vasculature of vertebral bodies and discs is very poor. Smoking is a vasoconstrictor…restricts blood flow…and subsequently causes weakening of those weight bearing structures and decreased elasticity in the discs. Quoted: Quoted: Smoking causes spine damage? Or is there another correlation? The vasculature of vertebral bodies and discs is very poor. Smoking is a vasoconstrictor…restricts blood flow…and subsequently causes weakening of those weight bearing structures and decreased elasticity in the discs. Not smoking. Nicotine. |