Alright, I know that title might sound a little bold, but hear me out. You’ve probably heard the phrase a million times: “Abs are made in the kitchen.” And while it’s catchy, it’s not entirely true.
Here’s the reality—every single one of us already has abdominal muscles. But just like any other muscle group, they need proper training to grow and strengthen.
Now, it’s true that we tend to store fat around the midsection first, which is why diet plays a big role in revealing those abs. But training? That’s where the magic happens to build them.
Here’s the truth:
Abs are BUILT by training. Revealed by diet.Let that sink in. Both training and nutrition work hand in hand, but skipping one or the other will leave you short of your goal.
If you’re here for the ab workout details, skip ahead to 5 of my favorite moves: Abmat Si-Ups, Runners, Dead Bugs, Hanging Oblique Twist, and Ab Rollouts.
But before you go, let’s set the record straight on some common misconceptions.
A Few Key Points About Ab Training:
Big lifts are your secret weapon. Exercises like bent-over rows, deadlifts, and overhead presses are some of the best core workouts you can do. Want to take it up a notch? Throw in sprints and single-arm farmer carries. These build strength and stability like nothing else.
Crunches alone won’t cut it. Doing hundreds of crunches without addressing your diet or strength training is a waste of time. Focus on compound lifts, clean up your nutrition, and let ab-specific work complement the bigger picture.
Direct ab work isn’t overrated. Some trainers are quick to dismiss direct core work, but I think it still holds value. Personally, I aim for 50–100 reps of focused ab exercises at the end of my workouts. It’s not the star of the show, but it plays an important supporting role.
Consistency is king. Want visible abs? It comes down to two things: getting stronger and dialing in your nutrition. If your goal is to lose fat, you’ve got to eat in a calorie deficit. Trying to gain muscle? You’ll need a calorie surplus. There’s no shortcut here, but the results are worth it.
Enjoy the process. If you love core work, don’t let anyone talk you out of it. Keep doing what makes you feel good, stay consistent, and celebrate the small wins along the way.
Remember, abs aren’t just for show—they play a huge role in overall strength, stability, and performance. Build them with intention, reveal them with discipline, and most importantly, don’t fall for the idea that your kitchen alone determines your success.
Train hard, eat smart, and keep showing up.
Check out my latest YouTube Video on 5 of my favorite ab exercises (info below the video):
5 of my Favorites:
AbMat Sit-Ups: 3x20
Runners: 3x20 or 1x50
Dead Bugs: 3x20 or 1x50
Hanging Oblique Twist: 3x20-30
Barbell Ab Rollouts: 3x15
I like to do 1-2 ab exercises as part of my warm-up or at the end of my workout after completes the most important stuff... AKA Compound lifts.
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