Is this true - training your abs while they are pooched will make them grow that way?

cooldham · 01-31-17, 09:47 AM

I read somewhere recently that if you train your abs and they "pooch" you will train your muscles to grow this way. I think it bugged me so much because I started looking down while I'm planking and sure enough, even though the muscles are working, my abs are just kind of hanging down...am I doing something wrong? It definitely doesn't look like a picture of someone doing a plank. I don't have that much fat on my abs, they're actually pretty flat when I'm just standing so I don't think it's fat hanging down....thoughts?!!

Edited to add now I am also obsessed with pulling in my abs on other ab exercises. Does it matter?

bubbles76 · 01-31-17, 09:53 AM

I hope you get an answer to this. This is my situation exactly! It's not exactly a pooch for me, but more of a V, if that makes sense. A little mountain, if you will

I've been changing up how I do ab work now. Hence my new obsession with trying out pilates

momtoaboyandgirl · 01-31-17, 10:02 AM

I've been reading that exercise makes muscles grow/ get bigger so if you train your abs while they are still covered by a layer of fat, they will grow and your stomach will get bigger, is that true? Should you abstain from ab exercises until you're lean?

bubbles76 · 01-31-17, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momtoaboyandgirl

I've been reading that exercise makes muscles grow/ get bigger so if you train your abs while they are still covered by a layer of fat, they will grow and your stomach will get bigger, is that true? Should you abstain from ab exercises until you're lean?

I don't think you should do that. Even if it's true, you want strong ab muscles. Just work hard to get rid of that layer of fat too, either through better eating, cardio, or whatever works for you.

blueskies · 01-31-17, 11:13 AM

cooldham - I found this to be absolutely true for me. I have not directly worked my abs in years, and haven't looked back. The core muscles primarily function as stabilizers, so I automatically work them during any kind of balance activity. I will say, though, that the "hanging" area may be loose skin?

momtoaboyandgirl - That is essentially what happens. You can work your abs indirectly, though, by performing other exercises that require a balance component.

SquishyMommy · 02-01-17, 07:15 AM

I have no idea if any of that is true or not, but I know that for me personally, the only way I see any flattening of my abs is if I do straight-leg exercises. I will probably never have a six-pack, but the flattest my abs have been was when I did Tracy Anderson ab floor work. C-Curve work and planks have never had much effect on my abs visually.

desie · 02-01-17, 08:22 AM

I think it's a bunch of malarky. Work the transverse abdominus and abs stay in.

JackieB · 02-01-17, 09:10 AM

Actually, there is a lot of research going on regarding abdominal training. I can't find the article that was shared and posted by Essentrics last year. Due to research regarding back, pelvic, and neck pain the growing school of thought is questioning the effectiveness of traditional crunches.

The military has dropped traditional crunches and now uses plank work for building core strength. Here's one article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...ced-plank.html

There was a great deal of discussion on the Essentrics instructor forum last year about the neck and back pain/injuries being caused or exacerbated by crunches. Also when you train abs with crunches typically the abs pooch out...sort of defeating the "flattening your abs" goal.

I've dropped all abdominal crunches from the workouts I teach and do at home. My back is much much better. I am finding that I get plenty of core work doing standing ab work. This is the slimmest I've been in years...since before having kids (yep 4 of them).

That's my .02.

Izzy · 02-01-17, 09:42 AM

Jackie, I am a huge Essentrics/CS fan and do the workouts daily. And where as they say this (that you don't need to do crunches) often in various workouts, they still add them to other workouts. It's sort of a mixed message from them. I guess if they add them I just follow along and do them but sometimes the message from them is confusing.

Dabbadooey · 02-01-17, 09:50 AM

I think crunches are going the way of dvd's. People still use them, but you know the end is near.

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01-31-17, 09:47 AM
cooldham Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NC	Is this true - training your abs while they are pooched will make them grow that way? I read somewhere recently that if you train your abs and they "pooch" you will train your muscles to grow this way. I think it bugged me so much because I started looking down while I'm planking and sure enough, even though the muscles are working, my abs are just kind of hanging down...am I doing something wrong? It definitely doesn't look like a picture of someone doing a plank. I don't have that much fat on my abs, they're actually pretty flat when I'm just standing so I don't think it's fat hanging down....thoughts?!! Edited to add now I am also obsessed with pulling in my abs on other ab exercises. Does it matter? __________________ "I have to work for what I deserve."

01-31-17, 09:53 AM
bubbles76 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey	I hope you get an answer to this. This is my situation exactly! It's not exactly a pooch for me, but more of a V, if that makes sense. A little mountain, if you will I've been changing up how I do ab work now. Hence my new obsession with trying out pilates __________________ "You humans have the potential to be the most wonderful beings there are - if you can get past all these enormous stupid spots you seem to have in your hearts. It's not your fault. You just don't know how to work your hearts right yet. That's why there are dogs." - Jim Butcher, Zoo Day

01-31-17, 10:02 AM
momtoaboyandgirl Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ontario	I've been reading that exercise makes muscles grow/ get bigger so if you train your abs while they are still covered by a layer of fat, they will grow and your stomach will get bigger, is that true? Should you abstain from ab exercises until you're lean? __________________ the nutrition at this school is abysmal...when I showed Brittany the broccoli she wept , thinking it had been a tiny tree where a family of Gummi Bears onced lived..... Coach Sue on Glee

01-31-17, 11:13 AM
blueskies Join Date: Dec 2002	cooldham - I found this to be absolutely true for me. I have not directly worked my abs in years, and haven't looked back. The core muscles primarily function as stabilizers, so I automatically work them during any kind of balance activity. I will say, though, that the "hanging" area may be loose skin? momtoaboyandgirl - That is essentially what happens. You can work your abs indirectly, though, by performing other exercises that require a balance component. __________________ Rebecca PACE Express rotation: completed 11/14/12 Life is a wonderful thing even with the difficulties that are sprinkled in. ~little bird from VF I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. ~Jimmy Dean

02-01-17, 07:15 AM
SquishyMommy Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Indiana	I have no idea if any of that is true or not, but I know that for me personally, the only way I see any flattening of my abs is if I do straight-leg exercises. I will probably never have a six-pack, but the flattest my abs have been was when I did Tracy Anderson ab floor work. C-Curve work and planks have never had much effect on my abs visually. __________________ -Jennifer

02-01-17, 08:22 AM
desie Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Canada	I think it's a bunch of malarky. Work the transverse abdominus and abs stay in.

02-01-17, 09:10 AM
JackieB VF Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Minnesota	Actually, there is a lot of research going on regarding abdominal training. I can't find the article that was shared and posted by Essentrics last year. Due to research regarding back, pelvic, and neck pain the growing school of thought is questioning the effectiveness of traditional crunches. The military has dropped traditional crunches and now uses plank work for building core strength. Here's one article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...ced-plank.html There was a great deal of discussion on the Essentrics instructor forum last year about the neck and back pain/injuries being caused or exacerbated by crunches. Also when you train abs with crunches typically the abs pooch out...sort of defeating the "flattening your abs" goal. I've dropped all abdominal crunches from the workouts I teach and do at home. My back is much much better. I am finding that I get plenty of core work doing standing ab work. This is the slimmest I've been in years...since before having kids (yep 4 of them). That's my .02. __________________ Jackie Certified Essentrics Instructor, Level 4---February 2017 Yoga Tune Up Roll Model Method Practitioner---December 2021 "Movement is a privilege. You don't have to exercise. You get to exercise. Visit a person whose mobility is severely limited, and you'll appreciate the distinction. Do what you can, count yourself lucky, heal yourself in the process." Essentrics Colorado

02-01-17, 09:42 AM
Izzy Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West of Chicago in the Illinois Corn Belt	Jackie, I am a huge Essentrics/CS fan and do the workouts daily. And where as they say this (that you don't need to do crunches) often in various workouts, they still add them to other workouts. It's sort of a mixed message from them. I guess if they add them I just follow along and do them but sometimes the message from them is confusing.

02-01-17, 09:50 AM
Dabbadooey Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SC	I think crunches are going the way of dvd's. People still use them, but you know the end is near.