Essential Random Gym Thoughts Revisited...

[Swirv]

Is it ok to just do squats for core activation, or is it necessary to perform ab accessory work as well?

 

[The ADD]

Is it ok to just do squats for core activation, or is it necessary to perform ab accessory work as well?

Define activation

 

[Son Goku]

Speed run through a pull day brahs

Kept forgetting important things at the house while a scoop and a half of #POWDA running through my veins

 

[Son Goku]

Is it ok to just do squats for core activation, or is it necessary to perform ab accessory work as well?

A stronger core means a more stable (and likely a stronger) squat.


I'm guilty of not doing a lot of ab work, but I'd throw some in.

 

[CW_1991]

 

[CW_1991]

 

[Swirv]

Define activation

I should’ve rephrased that question. Are squats all you need to build core strength?

 

[The ADD]

I should’ve rephrased that question. Are squats all you need to build core strength?

Likely not:

You can squat but is your form and the weight at a level to create that strength?

Direct core work (sit-ups, crunches, etc) doesn’t mean core strength. I see dudes all the time doing side bends with kettle bells and I’m certain they don’t have core strength.

 

[Son Goku]

I should’ve rephrased that question. Are squats all you need to build core strength?

Likely not:

You can squat but is your form and the weight at a level to create that strength?

Direct core work (sit-ups, crunches, etc) doesn’t mean core strength. I see dudes all the time doing side bends with kettle bells and I’m certain they don’t have core strength.

^This.

You also didn’t define ”core strength” @Swirv. What is that and how do you measure it?


IMO I find (barbell) compound lifts to be better builders of skrenf and isolation movements to be better for developing “aesthetics” (hypertrophy, emphasizing insertions, muscle belly shape, etc), but that is an extreme oversimplification.


I think isometric exercises and maybe even high-level calisthenics would be better for what you’re going for than squatting.

As someone who can squat a decent amount but doesn’t do a lot of direct core work, I think I squatted so much in spite of my core, not because my core was strong from squating so much.

 

[Serious]

Look at how scrawny his legs are. That’s a dead giveaway

 

[The ADD]

Likely not:

You can squat but is your form and the weight at a level to create that strength?

Direct core work (sit-ups, crunches, etc) doesn’t mean core strength. I see dudes all the time doing side bends with kettle bells and I’m certain they don’t have core strength.

@Swirv

I will say I’ve started doing stationary marches with two KBs in a rack position and the activation be

 

[The ADD]

There should be rule:

I’d you aren’t going to lift in a similar range as the person on the platform then don’t ask how many sets they have. Just wait

 

[Gully Bull]

This is not a drill. Did more practice with a weightlifting belt and hit 95% with no issues. I’m cutting and this was my third leg day of the week so I ain’t push it but THE PR is calling me

Spent two hours this morning and just woke up from a nap feeling like I got run over by a steam roller

 

[The ADD]

This is not a drill. Did more practice with a weightlifting belt and hit 95% with no issues. I’m cutting and this was my third leg day of the week so I ain’t push it but THE PR is calling me

Spent two hours this morning and just woke up from a nap feeling like I got run over by a steam roller

 

[Son Goku]

This is not a drill. Did more practice with a weightlifting belt and hit 95% with no issues. I’m cutting and this was my third leg day of the week so I ain’t push it but THE PR is calling me

Spent two hours this morning and just woke up from a nap feeling like I got run over by a steam roller

I feel you dog.

The day after a pull, push/pull, or full power event my lower back usually feels like ground beef and my whole body may or may not feel like I got hit by a (small) car.