07-12-2015, 06:03 PM
(07-12-2015, 05:39 PM)Aquapod770 Wrote: Exactly. Core is key. Although I'm sure he's doing some type of lift that helps strength the core: deadlifts, squats, bench press, stuff like that.
True. Although I think ab work is overrated for non-competitive athletes. The abs should really get enough work in exercises like mentioned above. Just doing a bunch of crunches doesn't really do anything but burn fat (like all exercises do) - and let's just mention that ab work doesn't target belly fat, either. If you want to add definition/cuts to your abs, you have to build the muscles just like any other muscle. The problem arises that if you aren't lean, this will actually make you look fatter....and talking core ab strength means building the muscle (and 100 crunches isn't doing anything just like doing 100 curls wouldn't build your biceps).
You want to maintain balance to avoid injuries, not just lifting but even if you golf or play tennis. If for some reason a person is doing only machines/isolation exercises, then they should add some ab work. But most people probably would never gain enough strength/muscle for an imbalance from under-working abs to be an issue (unless they're over 60). If you're not doing some compound lifting, abs are probably the least of your worries with regard to imbalances.
