Abs always exausted?

[S3ngh]

Hi, I train 4 times a week, hitting the gym every other day (occasionally 3 times depending on how my bodys feeling).

Im in a bulking phase at the moment and so am lifting heavy for 6 - 8 reps.

On the off days when I try and train my abs, I find it hard b/c it feels like i've just worked my abs the day before even though I haven't (I havent trained my abs for like weeks now).

Is this normal? I usually keep my abs tight during different workouts to keep my posture good.. so is there a need to work my abs while im bulking?

[miskiw]

there are alot of lifts that use the abs as stabilizers... for example deadlifts and squats ...... some will say that doing these exercises is enough to keep your abs in fairly good shape... but a few crunches here and there wouldn't hurt...

what's your workout like? and what ab exercises do you do? you say you workout 4 times a week and on off days you train your abs... well that means to me 3 days of ab exercise... may be to much... it's just like any other muscle in your body.. it needs rest... along with your heavy lifting they just may be fatigued...

[BigManSlim]

s3ngh,

You might be overtraining your abs. From what I've read, abs don't need a whole lot of training. You're working out 3.5 days per week and then doing abs on your off days? Seems a bit much.

Some other things to consider:
Is your diet ok and are you getting enough calories?
You might have the weight set too high for your ab workout.

BMS

[buff151]

When I started, I did no crunches at all, but had some ripped abs after a year of working out. MY diet was good of course, but other exersizes use your abs. Bench you tighten them, incline, deadlift, squats, you name it. But, I still don't know why your's feel so exhausted, I can always fit in a few crunches...I'm stumped on this one bro.
scott