Taking a break?

Someone on the ab thread mentioned, "dont forget, your abs need a break between workouts too" (I may be paraphrasing!) Why is this? I do my upper body weights only 3 times/week but for some reason I tend to do my ab workout every time I go to the gym (4-5 times a week). Am I doing myself a dis-service? Can someone explain the need for a break?

Tue. May 30, 9:15pm

muscles are buiilt when the tears from a workout are healed. If you keep working them, they do not have time to repair, and therefore do not build mass as quickly. If you are trying to build mass/tone, and are doing your abs every day, you may very well be doing them a disservice.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006, 10:52 PM

I've always heard that abs are the one muscle group that you can work every day. Though it is typically thought that it's a good idea to give your whole body a rest for 1 day a week. 5 days a week of abs is certainly fine!

Wednesday, May 31, 2006, 10:30 AM

Heart is the only muscle that should be worked every day

Your heart is the only muscle that should be worked every day, all other muscle groups need at least one day between workouts. That's why it is more effective to switch muscle groups every day such as Abs on Monday, lower body Tuesday, Upper Body Wednesday and then cardio on the days in between. Yoga you can do everyday without any problems.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006, 5:27 PM

I disagree. You need to alternate upper body and lower body to give them a chance to repair between workouts, but you can do Monday = upper body and abs, Tuesday = lower body and abs, Wednesday = upper body and abs, Thursday = lower body and abs, Friday = upper body and abs, Saturday = lower body and abs, and Sunday = rest everything. You can safely do all of that plus cardio every day of the week (except Sunday, or whatever day you choose to have your break.) Just always do abs last, b/c they're your stabililzers, and you risk hurting yourself if you tire them out first and then can't use them to stabilize yourself as well while you're doing a different body part or cardio.

Thursday, June 01, 2006, 10:38 AM

I asked my personal trainer about this, and he said that if you're trying to build a six pack, work 'em hard every other day. But if you're just going for a lean, toned look you can work 'em most days, like 2 days on 1 day off.

Thursday, June 01, 2006, 8:03 PM

OP here...thanks for all comments. Im not exactly at the 6-pack phase yet...still need to lose some weight before i see any muscle definition, but im trying....any other advice is appreciated!

Friday, June 02, 2006, 9:50 PM

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