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Categories » Fitness Programs & Workout DVDs » INSANITY® » Imbalanced abs muscle growth?
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Imbalanced abs muscle growth?
Imbalanced abs muscle growth?
10/25/09 4:34 AM
Hello,

I'm on Week 8 of Insanity and my abs have grown considerably - I never had much abs to talk about and now I definitely do.

However, I'm a little worried because it seems the growth is uneven.

The top part, the 4- of the 6-pack, has grown about 30-40% more than the lower 2 of the 6-pack and the lower abs (that are longer than the 6-pack and go all the way down to the private-parts-area).

Some of the time the full abs package looks like it's got a natural curve connecting to the chest but other times, especially if I tighten them, it looks like the top part is disproportional to the bottom.

Is this normal? Am I thinking about it too much because I'm not used to having abs?
Is it not normal but is going to correct itself? Does it mean I'm doing something wrong?
Do I need to take action?

Thanks!
WP
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RE: Imbalanced abs muscle growth?
10/26/09 8:08 AM as a reply to whitephoenix.
Congrats on the new abs haha You are completely normal and are going to be okay.

Believe it or not, everyones abs have a predetermined starting look, some of us are born with ripped six packs, others are not. Body type plays a huge role in this. A longer torso can lengthen the abdominal muscles and make it very hard to have larger looking abs. Some people have short torsos and have extremely bulky abs. Which one are you?

The lower abs seem to always be the problem. Some people have killer six packs, other have a killer 4 with two shy abs hiding away under the waist of there pants. 1) The bottom two abs usually only show alot with people of very low body fat percentages. A lot of fat tends to be stored around the hips and waist. 2) You can absolutely build this area, you just need to add a little extra lower core exercises.

Two steps: The first is to continue to burn body fat, and the second is to continue to build the size of the muscles within the abdominal. The larger your abs become the more they begin to stick out just like any other muscle in the body. Be proud of your accomplishments and do not get yourself down if your genetics did not create you to be on the cover of muscle and fitness magazine. All will be well.


Coach T
http://beachbodycoach.com/lancethornton/
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RE: Imbalanced abs muscle growth?
10/29/09 6:54 AM as a reply to lancethornton.
lancethornton:
Congrats on the new abs haha You are completely normal and are going to be okay.

Believe it or not, everyones abs have a predetermined starting look, some of us are born with ripped six packs, others are not. Body type plays a huge role in this. A longer torso can lengthen the abdominal muscles and make it very hard to have larger looking abs. Some people have short torsos and have extremely bulky abs. Which one are you?

The lower abs seem to always be the problem. Some people have killer six packs, other have a killer 4 with two shy abs hiding away under the waist of there pants. 1) The bottom two abs usually only show alot with people of very low body fat percentages. A lot of fat tends to be stored around the hips and waist. 2) You can absolutely build this area, you just need to add a little extra lower core exercises.

Two steps: The first is to continue to burn body fat, and the second is to continue to build the size of the muscles within the abdominal. The larger your abs become the more they begin to stick out just like any other muscle in the body. Be proud of your accomplishments and do not get yourself down if your genetics did not create you to be on the cover of muscle and fitness magazine. All will be well.


Thanks, I'm enjoying my new abs LOL.

I'd say my torso is quite proportional for my height (179cm) - my abs are I guess quite short. I think - I'm not really sure!! Never looked at other people's abs much (other than pictures of magazines). I guess I will know once they start showing more - still some fat to lose around the belly. Plus I have the fur on top.

I hear you on the genes - I know people who have a lot less fat with a lot less effort. Mind you, I'm not sure if it's so genes so much or life-long eating and exercising habits.

Once I'm done with Insanity I'm going to start a new program. Now, I don't know which ones...

I'm between Hip Hop Abs, P90X and RevAbs... recommendations? My short-term goal is to lose more fat so that my abs show and my longer-term goal is bulk up a LITTLE and SLOWLY.
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RE: Imbalanced abs muscle growth?
11/2/09 5:51 AM as a reply to whitephoenix.
P90X is my recommendation. Ive done it three times and it still has not gotten old or ineffective. Ive added and taken out some based on my needs but it will pretty much burn fat all over the body and bring your weaknesses even with your strengths. Awesome program. Let me know if you do plan on ordering that. You can get it through me and I can become your personal coach. I have a bunch of tips for that program, especially for the abs! haha I also have a client doing rev abs right now, i can update you on how that is going for them.


Coach T
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RE: Imbalanced abs muscle growth?
11/9/09 9:36 AM as a reply to whitephoenix.
I agree with T, go with P90x and grab p90x plus when you can. Cycling between insanity and p90 should get you into fantastic shape. Plus i think the ab routine in p90x and p90x plus will absolutely get you the results you want.

The only other point I would add is to start doing weighted ab routines. If you don't have a gym membership use a pullup bar (you'll need one for p90x) and a medicine ball and slowly progress towards adding heavier weights through a kettle bell or plates. This should specifically help to build up your lower abs.

If you have access to a gym or an ab bench use some weighted plates or a kettle bell/medicine ball and add in a variety of exercises with the heavy weights once or twice a week.
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RE: Imbalanced abs muscle growth?
12/7/09 6:22 AM as a reply to animesuperman.
Thanks for the replies guys - I've waited to get my results and some pics before I posted again. This is my before-and-after pic:



I know it's bad quality + the fur but it gives you an idea of what my abs look like.

lancethornton:
P90X is my recommendation. Ive done it three times and it still has not gotten old or ineffective. Ive added and taken out some based on my needs but it will pretty much burn fat all over the body and bring your weaknesses even with your strengths. Awesome program. Let me know if you do plan on ordering that. You can get it through me and I can become your personal coach. I have a bunch of tips for that program, especially for the abs! haha I also have a client doing rev abs right now, i can update you on how that is going for them.


How did your client get on with Rev Abs?

animesuperman:
I agree with T, go with P90x and grab p90x plus when you can. Cycling between insanity and p90 should get you into fantastic shape. Plus i think the ab routine in p90x and p90x plus will absolutely get you the results you want.

The only other point I would add is to start doing weighted ab routines. If you don't have a gym membership use a pullup bar (you'll need one for p90x) and a medicine ball and slowly progress towards adding heavier weights through a kettle bell or plates. This should specifically help to build up your lower abs.

If you have access to a gym or an ab bench use some weighted plates or a kettle bell/medicine ball and add in a variety of exercises with the heavy weights once or twice a week.


Thanks man! I actually have a gym membership so I can socialize as well as train (well, after training, I don't get enough breaks with Insanity to socialize during hehe) so that's all good.

Can you recommend some specific exercises to do to gain some mass in the lower abs?
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