Train Abs Last (especially on legs and back day)

While taping this week for NBC’s EXTRA, I was asked why I advise never to train abs before legs. And it’s a good question. Simply put, you want and need your abs and core fresh during you entire training session, especially during bent over moves (like Romanian or Stiff-Legged Deadlifts) and during all types of squatting moves. And that goes for both men and women!

Many of you might be working with a trainer who has you going from an abs move into a bent-over move or squat-type of exercise in superset fashion, and I realize he or she is doing it to keep your heart rate up, to keep it fun with lots of variety, etc. But realize that you could be putting yourself at risk of injury by doing so.

During squatting moves or bent-over moves, your core and abs work to stabilize your spine (think of them as an inner weightlifting belt) but if they’re weak and fatigued, you won’t be able to generate the necessary pressure in your abs to hold your spine in perfect alignment.

Don’t buy into the notion that you “fire up” the abs and core by training them first. That makes no sense and it won’t help you achieve your goals and worse, could be promoting injury.

And finally, you won’t be as strong on your bigger muscle groups if you fatigue your abs and core first. And why put anything in a situation where you won’t be at your very best. You can always fatigue your abs last, when the need to have a stable core is not imperative.

During an intense training session, you need fresh abs.