Abs Workout Question

[Altair]

So I was doing this workout for like 3 weeks when a friend told me it was worthless. Just curious if that is indeed true?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk_usVg7Fp0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For those not wanting to watch the video here are the names from the video.

1. Basic Crunch-
2.Twist Up
3.Push Through-
4.Left side Crunch-
5. Right side Crunch-
6. Up and Twist-
7. Leg Raises-
8. Leg Tucks-
9. 90 Degree Ankle Touch-
10. Right Crossover Crunch-
11. Left Crossover Crunch-
12. Kick Ups-
13. Head Raises-
14. Scissors-
15. Left crossover twist-
16. Right crossover twist-
17. Head leg crunch-
18. Alternating Shoulder Lifts-
19. Hoover-
20- 180 Degree Ankle Touches-
21- Side bends-
22- Alternate Leg Tucks-
23- Alternating Push Throughs-

If it is worthwhile, does his number system work for them or should I be doing like 3 sets of 10 of each?

To answer question, I'd assume you'd need to know goal. Eventually working towards a six pack, but for now trying to get the abs to get the six pack once I lose the fat, if there even really is that much there. I'm 5'10'' 155 pounds and have been in great shape all life from sports, sports involving a lot of cardio. I've never really lifted before either, but I'm getting started with that too. I have a pretty professionally planned routine pretty much every day (works different muscles on consecutive days) so that will help too.

I've heard from a friend just eat right and start lifting and it'll show up, not sure I believe that, and even if it's true, I'll still work the abs if there is a benefit to it. I didn't mind this routine above, just need to know if I'm wasting time and the question about the sets. Oh and taking protein after ab workouts isn't counter productive is it?

[Altair]

Bump.

Even if you can't answer all of them, could you answer what you do know?

[Bonnie]

Well the good news is your friend is right, concentrate on a clean diet, do compound lifts, such as dead lifts, squats, presses or push ups, shoulders, back..don't sweat to much on isolation ( arms & individual muscles in the legs ) work at this point.The compound lifts will work your abdominals throughout the entire session.I do recommend one exercise per abdominal muscle 3 times per week at the END of a lifting session. You have transverse abdominals ( they are horizontal ), inner & out obliques ( vertical/horizontal on the sides i.e twisting motion ) & the rectus abdominus ( the vertical ones from mid section to pubis ) The upper rectus abdominus are worked constantly throughout the day, so crunches aren't top choice, things like prone planks, side planks, reverse curls, hanging knee/leg raise & wood choppers with say a medicine ball or cable.Feel free to use stabilization tools such as bosu, swiss ball etc, they all work the core also, hope this helps

Oh & yes 3 sets of 10 should suffice.

[AZFitnessGuy]

Well here we go, ok so that is a lot, and yeah you'll get abs form diet and training, people who are skinny have abs already, but that doesnt mean the program is worthless, it's excessive but not worthless. However too often i see people concentrating too much on abs and not enough on cardio and lifting which will bring out the abs anyway, make sure your program is balanced and complete with this. And protein is definitely ok. Hope this helps!

-Joe
Personal Trainer
http://www.fitnessfromgroundzero.blogspot.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;