Abs and HIIT

daveyie84

Is it a bad idea to do HIIT session straight after an ab workout?

I do some crunches with a weight on my chest and leg raises and then run around for a half hour. I know that would breakdown muscle if it was after a chest or back workout but I’ve heard the ab muscles work differently. Am I breaking down the muscle on my stomach or is it okay?

Saabdub

If you're worried about muscle breakdown get some protein into your system so your metabalism has something to breakdown. I try to eat protein+slow digesting carbs 2 hours before I workout and then I take BCAAs before and after the session. Also straight after a workout where I've used weights I take protein+simple carbs+creatine. If I'm doing cardio in the morning before breakfast I take 5g of whey powder+BCAAs to protect my muscle.:D

Saabdub

colman1212

ok, I thought it was good to do cardio after a weights session, that you burn more fat????

I'd usually do abs work tuesday and thursday followed by a 20 min run..
Is this not a good idea?

celestial

colman1212 wrote: »

ok, I thought it was good to do cardio after a weights session, that you burn more fat????

Yes that is true - plus you've more energy for the weights if you do them first.

I'd usually do abs work tuesday and thursday followed by a 20 min run..
Is this not a good idea?[/QUOTE]

If it works for you, it's a good idea.

To reference your first post, who told you it 'works different' for ab muscles? None of that makes sense. Listen, on't worry about muscle breakdown - it's not something to be concerned about unless you're out running long distances on a frequent basis. And even then, the fact that you're weight training means you'll be holding on to your muscle.

Saabdub

colman1212 wrote: »

ok, I thought it was good to do cardio after a weights session, that you burn more fat????
quote]

Yes it's good to cardio after weights. I do it after weights for 20-30 minutes (depending on how much energy I have left). Especially after leg training I find cycling helps the legs to recuperate and I don't feel as stiff the next day. But it's also important to remember the food side. Weight training breaks down muscle, the recovery phase builds it up again. That's why you feel sore 48 hours after traing (the DOMS). To aid the recovery phase you need to consume simple carbs + protein straight after training. If taken straight after training the carbs + protein will not be stored as fat, but will be absorbed very quickly and will start the process of muscle recovery. I also like to use creatine + BCAAs:D

Saabdub

Roper

daveyie84 wrote: »

Is it a bad idea to do HIIT session straight after an ab workout?

I do some crunches with a weight on my chest and leg raises and then run around for a half hour. I know that would breakdown muscle if it was after a chest or back workout but I’ve heard the ab muscles work differently. Am I breaking down the muscle on my stomach or is it okay?

Sorry, but when are you doing HIIT? It's not clear from your post.

daveyie84

Roper wrote: »

Sorry, but when are you doing HIIT? It's not clear from your post.

I do hiit stright after my ab workout, three times a week on my "off" lifting days. I was told by friends abs work differently because they're being used by your body most of the day, thats why you'd train them more than your chest or back.

Roper

But you said in your original post that you were running for half an hour? What sort of HIIT are you doing?

daveyie84

Roper wrote: »

But you said in your original post that you were running for half an hour? What sort of HIIT are you doing?

I jog for 10 minutes, then do a 30 second sprint followed by a minute of very slow jogging around six or seven times. After I jog back home that takes around 10 minutes.

Roper

Right, there's the confusion so. Wouldn't call that HIIT meself but sure what's in a name? I'd say that abwork and sprinting are a good mix. Why not do abs as your break for a minute between sprints? I do something similar with pull-ups.