Abs and Cardio - Advice?

[Manlet]

I’m tackling this with the same approach as my other posts: I know nothing.

Cardio- Everyone hates it but we all need it. But how much? In the past (annd currently) i’ve aimed for 45 minutes a day after my workout, increasing every so often.

Abs- Now we all know abs are made in the kitchen, and my kitchen has been a mess til recently, but training abs is one of those things I hear the most conflict over somehow. Some people train every day, EoD, with weight, without weight, etc etc. My first coach of years past swore by never training abs ever because “you’ll lose your slutty waistline you’ll need for your competition shape.” What’s the consensus here gentleman/ladies? Work it in? Leave it out?

Naturally the answer to all questions of this nature is “it depends” but generally speaking what’s the move? Thoughts?
Ty

 

[Littleguy]

Do your cardio, 300 cals per day minimum for me
Don't train abs hard as they will grow as muscles do diet till ya see em and then overtrain the shit out of them to tighten them up for the show or the summer etc.

 

[Manlet]

Do your cardio, 300 cals per day minimum for me
Don't train abs hard as they will grow as muscles do diet till ya see em and then overtrain the shit out of them to tighten them up for the show or the summer etc.

This was so helpful thank you. Lines up with most of the stuff I hear, but that 1% always makes me pause. Recently heard something different so thank you again

 

[BD Bodybuilder]

I’m tackling this with the same approach as my other posts: I know nothing.

Cardio- Everyone hates it but we all need it. But how much? In the past (annd currently) i’ve aimed for 45 minutes a day after my workout, increasing every so often.

Abs- Now we all know abs are made in the kitchen, and my kitchen has been a mess til recently, but training abs is one of those things I hear the most conflict over somehow. Some people train every day, EoD, with weight, without weight, etc etc. My first coach of years past swore by never training abs ever because “you’ll lose your slutty waistline you’ll need for your competition shape.” What’s the consensus here gentleman/ladies? Work it in? Leave it out?

Naturally the answer to all questions of this nature is “it depends” but generally speaking what’s the move? Thoughts?
Ty

Cardio:

If losing weight is your priority, do 45 minutes cardio every other day. If you're using a treadmill and want to see faster results, wear ankle weights. I do my cardio pre-workout as a warm-up, but you do you.

Abs:

"Diet until you see them then work the hell out of them..." was good advice. Here is some more:

The Best Ab Workouts - The Barbell

These are the very best ab workouts. We've compiled five proven methods for best muscling up your abdominals quickly.

thebarbell.com

 

[Rider]

Do your cardio, 300 cals per day minimum for me
Don't train abs hard as they will grow as muscles do diet till ya see em and then overtrain the shit out of them to tighten them up for the show or the summer etc.

Good advice from @Littleguy

LG is one of our top guys especially when it comes to being lean and muscular year round.
It’s a smart thing remaining lean and fit because it leads to a healthier life in general in life as we age.

 

[The other Snake]

Winter cardio- 1.6 mile walk 5x/wk
Summer cardio- walk 2.0 miles 5x/wk with 30 min bike 3x/wk for 30 min
The way I keep the weight off is more by being active all year round.

Now for abs. I work abs once a week; 3 sets of 4 reps of one specific exercise. As for the way they look, do you want some think muscular abs or skateboarded abs? Skateboarder abs are built in the kitchen, thick abs need some training.

 

[Manlet]

Good advice from @Littleguy

LG is one of our top guys especially when it comes to being lean and muscular year round.
It’s a smart thing remaining lean and fit because it leads to a healthier life in general in life as we age.

This. I haven’t truly been lean in almost three years now. Kinda always had the inkling of abs but I’ve eaten in a surplus for a while now on top of not really putting effort into the gym. Go figure. But I’m putting more emphasis on my health.

 

[Nerve]

Ab wheel. One of the best ab movements you can do. Assuming you do them properly; something most people fail at. Use a band for additional resistance once you can do some sets of 15-20. Cable or band crunches as well. Planks are also good.

 

[Yano]

I'm a fat bastard compared to every one here
Hell .. if I was a Chinese gangster they would call me , Wo Too'Phat

That being understood , I've come down from 305 to 194.

I do my cardio for cardio not to lose weight , it's my Zen time when I can just clear my head and be totally in the moment.

With my knees torn up like they are from football , I break my cardio up into 15 minute blocks around my meal prep.

So i'll do 15 min/5 miles that pace is around 18-20 mph ,, not hard to do but its steady pedaling for sure.

Finish that block go prep my meal and get it cooking ,, while its cooking down , another 15min/5 miles

Then I'll do the same thing around my evening meal.

Sets me up for an easy 60 min a day / 20 miles.

The guys ive met along the way here and at UG have taught me how to carb cycle effectively so when I need to cut weight for a meet , that's how I go about it.

 

[BD Bodybuilder]

According to the BodyBuilding.com Exercise Database, the highest rated ab exercise is the Landmine Twist:

Exercise Finder | Bodybuilding.com

Learn to perform every exercise! The Exercise Guide has exercise videos, photos, details, community tips and reviews to help you reach your fitness goals

www.bodybuilding.com

I don't do that exercise. I get good results from the Incline Reverse Crunch aka Decline Reverse Crunch:

Incline Reverse Crunch – How To Video, Alternatives & More

Detailed instructions on how to perform the Incline Reverse Crunch. Learn what muscle groups are activited, read about pro tips, view necessary equipment and explore tons of alternatives.

www.fitnessai.com

 

[Manlet]

Thank you to everyone who’s contributed thus far! Took a bit of a hiatus until I was cleared by my doctor but I’m ready to go now

 

[genetic freak]

I do cardio nearly every day, no matter the season. I do higher impact cardio during the growth or "off season" and LISS during prep. It ranges from 30 minutes to 3 hours a day depending on what I am trying to do.

Never before training without a meal in between. I do not want my cardio negatively impacting my training. If I am doing less than an hour a day, it will be fasted in the morning. If more than an hour, fasted for up to an hour in the morning and the rest in the afternoon after meals to help get my blood sugar down.

Change up the modalities, as your body adapts quickly.

I think you should train abs until you do not need to train them anymore. Unfortunately, you will have to get to around 5-6% BF before you will really know if you still need to train them. As far as frequency, just like any other muscle. Is often as you can recover from. I also train them like other body parts, with heavy resistance.