” When Should I Do Abs In My Workout Routine?”
This is a common question among clients and gym goers because they want to make sure they are getting the most out of their abdominal exercises. The real question should be … “when will my ab routine benefit me the most?”
You’ll see a lot of people warm up on the cardio machines, then head straight for the mat area in the gym to do their ab routine. While there is nothing wrong with this ( I only do it with clients that fade early or detest abs because other wise they may not do them), I prefer to actually do abs at the end of the routine. It wasn’t till recently, that I actually sat down and worked out why this may be the BEST way to do abs.
Why It May BE Better To DO Abs At the End Of Your Workout Routine
- If you do abs at the beginning they could be overly tired during your weight lifting routine and you may be pre dispositioned to throwing your back out or having improper posture during your exercises. This is because your core is already tired.
- Saving your ab routine till the end makes your abs work harder. Think of it this way, you work out really hard and your abs are holding your up through your whole routine. Then, while they are tired, you go do your whole ab routine. You are pushing your abs even harder by doing the routine when they are already exhausted. It’s similar to the body building term – ” going to failure.”
- Abs are an endurance muscle (similar to calfs). Studies have shown that it’s not how many crunches you do BUT how long it takes you to do them. This is called “Time under tension.” Doing abs at the end means your abs have been under tension (on and off) through your whole workout, then again during your ab routine. It’s a double whammy which could lead to better results!
Trainer Tips: This is not always the best for EVERY person in the gym. If you know you won’t do your abs at the end, then by all means keep them at the beginning, you shouldn’t throw them out! If you think you will be a sloppy mess with your abs at the end then do them at the beginning also.
Whenever YOU chose to do your ab routine, make sure you maintain correct posture and BREATH!
Keep on burning,
Adria
CES, PES, CPT, BS
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