How to Get Ripped Abs - Common Mistakes
1 - Do your abs first. Some trainers will prescribe ab (and calf) work first because they are the most commonly neglected body parts.
2 - Doing your abs first shouldn't represent a problem as long as you still have enough energy and core strength left over to safely do your workout.
3 - Work your weakest body part first, as long as it doesn't adversely effect your workout for other body parts on the same day. If your abs are weak, then you need to focus on them and do them first while your energy and mental focus levels are highest.
4 - Depending goals you set, you can work them first or last. For example, if abs are your promary focus then do them first. Any weak and lacking muscle groups should be trained early in a workout session when you are fresh.
5 - Timing doesn't matter and much as consistency. Consistency is very important meaning that doing your abs is more important then when you do them.
6- Do them last if you are exercising large muscle groups because if you weaken your core strength at the beginning of the workout by doing abs, you can compromise safety and strength later in your workout when you start exercising the large muscle group(s).
How to Get Ripped Abs - So What's Correct?
A January 2007 issue of Muscle and Fitness mentioned a study which found that a group or weightlifters who performed a 6 rep max squat set did much less weight if they trained their abs before doing squats.
It's obvious that if you train abs first you won't have the core strength needed to do some leg exercises that require a sufficient amount of core strength.
If your abs and core are fatigued from exercise, it can cause weakness on subsequent exercises and increase your risk of lower back injury.
If you dont have much time to exercise, you can superset abs with other smaller muscle groups like forearms or calves. However, never sacrifice core strength and safety just so you get your ab training out of the way even if it's your weakest muscle group.
If abs are your weakness do additional work on your non-weight training days (some people do abs after cardio).
How to Get Ripped Abs - Things to Ponder:
You wouldn't fatigue your triceps before doing chest work, right?
Of course you wouldn't.
Thus, you wouldn't want to fatigue your abs before doing any muscles that require core strength.
While I agree that the intensity level of core work depends on a person's abilities, there is no physiological reason that clearly indicates that doing core work BEFORE your workout is beneficial. Doing abs before your workout is merely a time saver.
According to David Grisaffi, a Sports Conditioning Coach holding multiple certifications from the prestigious CHEK Institute and the author of the popular selling e-book Firm and Flatten Your Abs, says:
"On days when you do weight training for other body parts (legs, arms, back, chest and shoulders), always do your abs or core routine after the rest of your weight training. This will ensure that you are not training the rest of your body with a fatigued core and stabilizers."
Hence, the bottom line is: Ab training and any core work should be done AFTER larger muscle groups.
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