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 train abs.
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, a study published by The Obesity Society suggests 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 even at night, be consistent.
The Best Time to Train Abs 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 time could be the afternoon or evening because your energy level is high, muscles are more flexible than in the 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
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 was concluded that doing abs workouts two to three times a week after the workout session will help you get faster and more efficient results.
It also suggests trying different ab workout variations rather than doing only sit-ups or crunches. Planks, cable woodchops, and abdominal rollouts are some excellent variations to include in your ab workout regime.
When Do I Train My Abs?
I train my abs twice a week, one session in the morning using my body weight only and another in the evening using weights. This helps buttress my abdominal muscles and thicken my six-pack abs. You can check out my workout videos on Instagram.
You can also plan your abs workout according to your needs and stick to the timing for a considerable amount of time for the best results.
Top 10 Tips for Training Abs for Optimal Results
- Reduce body percentage to at least 10-12%.
- 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 muscles. 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 and 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 intensity training for the core.
- Eat enough protein. Protein helps you build lean muscle faster and accelerates muscle gain. It is one of the best macronutrients with the highest thermogenic effect on the body.
The Bottom Line
Based on the above information and my personal experience, 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 and diet.
You can train your abdominal muscles one to three days a week to forge your core and build solid rectus abdominis, depending on your goal.
Nutrition and consistency matter more than timing. If you’re not consistent and do not lower your body fat percentage, no matter how hard you exercise, you’ll not achieve the desired result faster.
