💥 Ab Workouts That Actually Work
The real reason your abs still aren’t showing – Ab Workouts That Actually Work
You’ve heard the saying: “Abs are made in the kitchen.”
Well… that’s only half true.
Abs might be revealed in the kitchen, but they’re definitely built in the gym.
And yet, even with gym time, so many people still don’t have defined abs.
So what gives?
Let’s break down why your ab workouts aren’t working—and what to do instead. 💡
🚨 The #1 Ab Mistake I See
Yes, you need low body fat to see your abs.
But guess what? That’s true for every muscle group.
You need low enough body fat to see your arms, legs, and back too. But here’s why your abs don’t pop like the rest:
Reason 1: We store more fat in our midsection.
Most people lose fat in their arms and legs first. That’s just how our bodies work.
Reason 2: You don’t train abs the same way you train arms or legs.
Think about it…
You spend an hour squatting, lunging, or curling—then maybe tack on 10 minutes of crunches at the end.
Your abs are an afterthought, and your results reflect that.
If you want a six-pack, you need to stop treating your abs like an accessory. Train them like you would any other muscle group—consistently, intensely, and progressively. 📈
💪 Abs Are a Muscle—So Train Them Like One
Your abs aren’t magical.
They’re not different from your glutes, shoulders, or chest when it comes to how they grow. And just like any other muscle…
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You’ve gotta go heavy when needed
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You’ve gotta chase the burn
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You’ve gotta push to failure at times
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You’ve gotta track your numbers and beat them
Most people put more time into their biceps (which are tiny) than they do their abs (which are massive in comparison).
So if your core is weak or underdeveloped… now you know why.
🔥 Try These RTC-Approved Ab Workouts
Here at RTC, we treat ab workouts with the same importance as leg day.
Below are three of our go-to core sessions. They’re spicy, they’re sweaty, and they get results.
🧨 Workout 1: Sweaty EMOM + Abs
Warm-Up: 5 min
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1 min light cardio
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10 Straight Leg Inchworms
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1 min World’s Greatest Stretch
14-Min EMOM
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Min 1: 8 Devil’s Press
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Min 2: 15 Weighted Ab-Mat Sit-Ups
(Control your descent!)
Rest 3 min
15-Min EMOM
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Min 1: 20 Reverse Crunches
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Min 2: 8 Calories of Cardio
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Min 3: 21 Knee Raises (7 front, 7 R, 7 L)
Rest 3 min
10-Min AMRAP Ladder
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Alt Shoulder Taps
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Alt Leg V-Ups
(2-4-6-8… as high as you can)
📌 Next time? Add 1 more round or 1 more minute to each block.
💥 Workout 2: Bodybuilder Abs + Cardio Intervals
4 Rounds Each:
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Cable Crunch x 20 (heavy)
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90 sec Cardio at 80% HR
Then:
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Cable Oblique Rotation x 20/side
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90 sec Cardio
Then:
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Hanging Knees to Elbows x Max
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90 sec Cardio
Then:
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Reverse Hyper x 20
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Weighted Plank x 30 sec
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90 sec Cardio
📌 Next time? Add weight or reps.
🔁 Workout 3: Steady State + Abs AMRAP (50 Min)
90/60 Format
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90 sec Cardio (70–80% HR)
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60 sec per ab move:
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Weighted Alt Leg V-Ups
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Side Plank Ground to Overhead
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Hanging Alt Leg Raises
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DB Walkouts
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Hollow Body Tuck-ins
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Kneeling Cable Crunch
📌 Progression Tip: Add time—try 75 sec instead of 60 next round.
💡 Train Your Abs Like You Mean It
If your abs aren’t where you want them to be, it’s not just about body fat.
It’s about effort and attention.
🎯 Set a goal to get at least 2 full hours of ab workouts per week.
(That’s more than just “10 minutes tacked on at the end.”)
Once you train your abs with intensity, consistency, and progression—they’ll start to show.
And here’s the cool part:
The more developed your ab muscles are, the less lean you need to be to see them. Pretty awesome, right?
💬 Ready to Level Up?
If you want a personalized plan to sculpt your abs—and every other muscle—our team at RTC can help.
👉 Check out our Personal Training Programs
👉 Or Get Started here and book a free chat with one of our expert coaches
Let’s build a body that turns heads (even in a hoodie). 😎