CanadianBiker32

here is a recent debate on abs
is it possible to develop good abdominal with good diet and cycling?
or some running too?
without being an Arnold at the gym?

wolfchild

No, you can't build strong abs and core with diet and cycling alone , it doesn't matter how good you eat or how hard you ride. Cycling doesn't put enough stress on your abs to create an adaptation and make them stronger. If you want strong abs you need to do more than just eating a good diet and cycling.

Carbonfiberboy 

Where is that said "recent debate"? Dunno what "abs" means. You mean see a 6-pack? OTOH, if you mean good abdominals . . .like compared to what? For what purpose? I've had my iliacus and psoas get really sore from long seated sessions, but never my abs, nor have I ever talked to a rider who complained of sore abdominals from cycling, though many complain of sore back. AFAIK the only road to a 6-pack is a lot of hard work on those specific muscles and 5% body fat.

Iride01 

Seeing that the set of constraints the OP put were just "good". And there is no qualification of what good abs are. I say my abs are good to maybe great underneath the fat of my beer gut. Mostly I just ride a bike with little other formal exercise.

Of course I also wondered if ABS was the ABS network and the OP was talking about some debate he watched going on there. If so, then what is the subject being debated that we are supposed to be discussing?

spelger

i don't need a 6-pack. i would be perfectly content with just a pint.

Carbonfiberboy 

I want half a liter. Not just any but a pul litr piva

I doubt that trying for 6-pack abs has anything to do with cycling. This is what a real cyclist looks like: (Michael Rasmussen)

wolfchild

Visible six pack abs doesn't mean anything. You can easily achieve visible abs by starving yourself and riding your bike. OTOH if you want strong functional core and abs you need to do exercises that target those your abs and core muscles.

wolfchild

I find standing up and riding out of the saddle easy...I can ride standing up for 20 minutes non stop on my fixed gear bike and I don't feel anything in my abs.

margoC

I had a foot operation when I was 35, walking on crutches gave me freaky abs.

Back when I rode a road bike all clipped in I developed pretty good abs from pulling up when I pedaled.

Im 63 and now have 6 pack flabs. You can kind of tell there are some abs under there. I'm not particularly fat, just old. Plus I've gained and lost weight a few times which doesn't help.

I wish I had taken more pics when I was younger. I haven't always been an old lady, I don't self identify as one although right now my thoracic disk is reminding me I indeed am. Thank goodness for those magic shots.

Iride01 

Will this be another thread the OP does not participate in?