When it comes to building bullet-proof core and six-pack abs, proper abs training is necessary. But have you ever searched what is the best time to workout abs, whether it’s morning or evening? Or do you know when to train your abs, after or before weight training?
Knowing the right time to train a specific group of muscles can maximize results. I want to share my own experience, but first of all, let’s find out what research, science, and the most credible health and fitness websites have to say about the best time to do abs workout.
What is the Best Time to Workout Abs? – According to Science
After researching a couple of hours on Google to find what scientific studies say about the perfect timing for abs workout, I haven’t found anything relevant. Research is yet to be done on the best abs workout timing.
However, research has shown that whether you work out in the morning or evening, the best way to get an efficient result is to work out at the same time every day. Consistency in your workout timing might help you achieve your desired result faster.
So, whether you work out in the morning, afternoon, evening, or maybe at night, make sure you’re consistent.
When is the Best Time to do Ab Workout? – According to Popular Fitness Sites
Only a few websites shared the answers about the best time to do core exercises. So, let’s find out what they have concluded.
LiveStrong.com
The morning time isn’t ideal for training abs – the article “Is It Better to Do Your Ab Workout in the Morning or at Night?” published on the Live Strong website suggested.
Your body is most vulnerable in the early morning, just after waking up. Regular ab exercises like crunches and twisting can compress your spine and put more stress on your vertebral discs, increasing the risk of swelling or an injury – the site proposed.
The article’s author has also recommended that doing late-night abs workouts causes uneasiness and can keep you awake.
So, if you want to work out your abs, the best timing could be afternoon or evening. Because your energy level is high, muscles are more flexible than morning, and you can have a better workout session.
Men’s Health
Those who workout core at the beginning of their workout instead of the end achieve better results – suggested in the article Why You Should Work Your Abs First? Published by Alwyn Cosgrove, C.S.C.S., co-author of The New Rules of Lifting for Abs.
Doing abs at the beginning of the workout, right after your warm-up, can be effective for your core. Because at that time, your muscles are fresh and ready to build.
Abs are like other muscles, and to strengthen and build them, you need to hit them properly. So, it would be excellent to train your abs right after your warm-up and before weight training – the site concluded.
Men’s Journal Views on The Best Time to do Abs Workout
Article title: Trainer Q&A: How Often Should I Train My Abs?
Answer: This website didn’t mention any time in its post. However, It concluded that doing abs workouts two to three times a week after the workout session will help you get an efficient result faster.
It also suggests trying different abs workout variations rather than doing only sit-ups or crunches. Planks, cable woodchops, and abdominal rollouts are some excellent variations to be included in your ab workout regime.
Top 10 Tips For Building Six-Pack Abs Faster
- Reduce body percentage to at least 10-12%. Do High-intensity interval Training (HIIT).
- Maintain or reduce daily calorie consumption. Get the proper diet.
- Warm your body before starting the abs workout session. Do high-knees, squats, pushups, jumping jacks, etc.
- Train the abs like other muscles of the body. Give your ab muscles proper rest.
- Add resistance to the ab exercises to thicken your muscle. Try weighted ab workouts.
- Try different variations of the abs exercises. Don’t just stick with two or three exercises.
- Train each muscle of the core equally. For example, work on your obliques, upper and lower abs.
- Design a separate workout session to build your abs so that you hit them when you’re energized. Doing abs workouts before or after heavy weight training can exhaust the muscles in your core which can be dangerous.
- Other than specific ab exercises, try high-intensity exercises like HIIT and CrossFit.
- Eat enough protein. Protein will help you build lean muscle faster and accelerates muscle gain. Protein is one of the best macronutrients with the highest thermogenic effect on the body.
Summary
Based on the above information, I think the best time is when you’re ready to do your best. And the best ab exercises are those which suit you the most.
Everyone’s body responds differently. So, for example, if the afternoon abs workout is good for me, it doesn’t mean it will also be good for you because it depends on your various things, primarily your lifestyle pattern.
Nutrition and consistency matter more than timing. If you’re not consistent and do not lower your body fat percentage; it doesn’t matter how hard you exercise; you’ll not achieve the desired result faster.
Let’s also uncover some of the best abs and obliques exercises that solidify your midsection, help expose six-packs, and enhance compound lifts.
Top 20 Core Exercises For Ripped Six pack abs
- Reverse Crunches
- Mountain Climbers
- Bicycle Crunches
- Planks
- Situps
- Single-Leg Tuck-up
- Table Top Crunches
- Leg Raises
- Knee-to-Inside Elbow Planks
- Knee-to-Outside Elbow Planks
- Flutter Kicks
- V-ups Crunches
- Hanging Knees Raise
- Cable Woodchop
- Dumbbell Side Bend
- Cable Crunches
- Ab wheel Rolling
- Hollow Body Crunch
- Windshield Wipers
- Dragon Flag Negatives
Best Ab Workout Routine to do at Home and the Gym
Summary
- Duration: 20-minutes
- Number of exercises: 10-12
- Rest between exercises: 15-45 seconds
- Number of rounds: 2
- Rest between rounds: 1-min
Plan 1 – Bodyweight Abs workout at Home
Round 1 | Round 2 |
---|---|
Mountain Climbers | Dead Bug Crunches |
Bicycle Crunches | Leg Raises |
Reverse Crunches | Lying Windshield Wipers |
Russian Twist | Forearm Plank |
Flutter Kicks | Side Plank |
Plan 2 – Abdominal Muscles Workout for Gym Goers
Round 1 | Round 2 |
---|---|
Toes to Bar | Weighted Crunches |
Cable Crunches on Knees | Lying Dumbbell Leg Raise |
Hanging Knee Raise | Weighted Plank |
Cable Woodchop (High to Low) | AB Wheel Rollout |
Weighted Russian Twist | Dumbbell Side Bend |
FAQs about the best time to do abs workout
How Many Times Should You Workout Your Abs?
You can train your abdominal muscles two to three days a week. Although, they engage during the various compound exercises. Still, it is essential to train them specifically at least once a week if you want to forge your core and build solid rectus abdominish.
How Long Should Ab Workout Session Be?
A training session for abs can be 15 to 30 minutes long, depending on the intensity and kind of exercises you do. For example, the suitable duration for HIIT core training is 15 minutes, and the gym workout is 30 minutes.
Can I do Abs workout on an empty stomach?
Your body uses glucose or fat for fuel when you do abs workouts on an empty stomach, which is suitable for fat burning, but I suggest you take some light pre-workout snacks or drinks prior to exercise for an effective session.