How many times a week can I train my abdominals?

I know many of you have sent emails with questions regarding everything from nutrition to your current workouts. Yesterday, I answered one about eggs and cholestorol (I'll post it tomorrow)This was one I received over the weekend. Good stuff and a VERY common question.

Question: Tyler, I have been doing my strength training and intervals three times a week. I am doing great and have lost 3 pant sizes but I just feel like I need to do more. I know this is totally pyschological and I need to get over the "less is more" aspect. I want to add something into my "off" days. What about ab workouts? Can I do more of those? It is a trouble spot for me and I just want to do all that is possible to lose my stomach. But realistically how many times can I train my abdominals?

Answer:

The easy idea is to do more. First, look at your results how has your body changed. So that should be telling you to stick with the game plan. Glad to hear you have lost 3 pant sizes! Keep up the good work!

Adding in more activity on your "off" days is not a bad thing. You can absolutely do this. As far as adding in a "ab workout" day, that is fine as well though I would make it more core exercises than anything.

Remember, every exercise you perform in your current resistance training is a "core" exercise. You are recruiting more muscle fibers and thus sheding unwanted belly fat over a longer period of time.

Adding in a "core" day is a good idea, just be sure to give your body enough recovery.

Your abdominals are muscles and they need rest too!

Remember every exercise is a core exercise,

Tyler English, NASM-PES, CPT

P.S. 5 Secrets to a Sexy Core is here...if you haven't already done so go to www.12Daysoffitness and you can still get it!