Why I Hate Training Abs

(Yeah, I said it.)

Alright. Let’s just get this out of the way.

I hate training abs.

Not because I don’t care about having them.
Not because I don’t believe in a strong core.
And definitely not because I want to be the guy pretending it’s “bulk season” year-round.

I hate training abs because most of the time… it’s unnecessary.

And if you actually train hard, you’re already doing more ab work than the guy doing 17 variations of crunches in the corner.

You’re Already Training Abs (If You Lift Heavy and Vary Compound Movements)

If you squat heavy… your abs are working.
If you deadlift heavy… your abs are working.
If you press overhead… your abs are working.

They’re not just “activated.” They’re locked in.

Your abs are supposed to stabilize and brace — not just curl you up like a shrimp on the floor.

A heavy squat forces your core to turn into a steel cylinder.
A deadlift will expose a weak brace instantly.
A strict standing press? That’s core work whether you like it or not.

And if you’re rotating in hinges, squats, presses, carries, split stances, and unilateral work — your trunk is constantly adapting.

If you’re progressing on big compound lifts and varying them intelligently, your abs are getting trained.

Period.

Diet Is the Real Reason You Don’t See Them

Here’s the truth nobody wants:

Abs aren’t hiding because you didn’t do enough crunches.

They’re hiding because of body fat.

You can torch your abs every day and still not see a single line if your diet is a mess.

You want visible abs?

• Control calories
• Eat enough protein
• Lift heavy
• Be patient

You can’t out-crunch a bad diet.

I Don’t Like Adding Junk Volume

When I train, I train hard.

If I just squatted, pressed, and pulled heavy weight… I’m cooked.

The last thing I want to do is flop on the floor for 20 minutes chasing a burn that won’t change anything.

Every movement has to earn its spot. If it doesn’t make me stronger, more stable, or more capable — it’s gone.

What I Do Instead (Functional > Floor Crunches)

Instead of laying on my back doing crunches, I train my core the way it actually performs — resisting force, transferring power, and moving explosively.

A huge part of that comes from landmine work — especially inside a real system like what’s taught through Landmine University certifications.

Functional Performance Movements:
• Landmine Rotational Press
• Landmine Forward Intent Press
• Landmine Split Stance Press
• Landmine Lateral Lunge

Explosive Movements:
• Landmine Clean to Press
• Landmine Push Press
• Rotational Landmine Punches
• Landmine Shot-Put Throws

This kind of training builds anti-rotation strength, dynamic stability, explosive power, and real athletic carryover.

Way more useful than counting crunch reps.

When Direct Ab Training Makes Sense

• If your brace needs work.
• If you’re cutting and want more definition.
• If you’re an athlete needing trunk endurance.
• If you simply enjoy it.

When You Probably Don’t Need It

• You’re still building basic strength.
• You already train compounds hard and with intent.
• Your diet isn’t dialed in.
• Recovery is already stretched thin.

Bottom Line

Train your core like it was designed to work:

To stabilize.
To resist movement.
To transfer force under load.

Lift heavy.
Vary your compounds.
Move explosively.
Eat like an adult.

And if you still want to throw in some hanging leg raises at the end?

Go for it.

Just don’t tell me you need 400 crunches to get abs.