Bench Presses and Tighter Abs?

I have been working out with weights and doing at least 3 sets of 20 reps of bench presses along with leg extensions, leg curls, dips and of course arms exercises. I am doing more reps for weight loss instead of adding more weights at this point. My abs (lower especially) seem so much tighter and it has only been 6 days. I also do some hard crunches but I have doing those for a few months which really helped my upper abs mostly.

Could bench presses do this ab tightening? I do concentrate on breathing with my stomach tightening as I lift. Maybe this is a silly question, but just curious if this is possible with just a few days? Today is my day off which is hard cause lifting feels so good!

Thanks for input!

Leslie  www.chadssmiles.com  In honor of my son. We do not accept donations, just offer informational help for others in similar situations.

Original Post by leslie49:

I am doing more reps for weight loss instead of adding more weights at this point.

 First of all, congrats on starting a weight program!! If you look at an anatomical chart of mucles, you'll notice that they are all pretty much connected. When you're doing big, compound moves like squats, presses, etc, you're using a lot more muscles than you think. A few days isn't going to make a huge difference really, but I know you can feel it when you first start regardless.

I highlighted this passage because it's not true in the least. You're just getting better at lifting light weights, which isn't what you want to do if weight loss is your goal. If you lift heavier with less reps, you'll strip off fat much, much faster.

PS: I read your site. I have a teenage son myself so it really hits home

Original Post by spirochete:

Original Post by leslie49:

I am doing more reps for weight loss instead of adding more weights at this point.

 

 First of all, congrats on starting a weight program!! If you look at an anatomical chart of mucles, you'll notice that they are all pretty much connected. When you're doing big, compound moves like squats, presses, etc, you're using a lot more muscles than you think. A few days isn't going to make a huge difference really, but I know you can feel it when you first start regardless.

I highlighted this passage because it's not true in the least. You're just getting better at lifting light weights, which isn't what you want to do if weight loss is your goal. If you lift heavier with less reps, you'll strip off fat much, much faster.

PS: I read your site. I have a teenage son myself so it really hits home

 Thank you Spirochete,

I am so happy you cleared that up for me. I would have kept doing more reps and less weights until you told me that. Time to add some more tomorrrow. It was becoming too easy. Another question...I work out 6 days a week. I only take a day off cause that is what I read. I just love to exercise, the feeling and the results. Sometimes I lift late at night before I go to bed.
Thank you for reading about my baby boy. Chad was my only child. He would have been 33 years old next month. This is a tough month..it is getting close to the 5 year anniversary of his passing. So, I just stay super active and realize that he was so much like me in ways and I personally would want the ones who love me to go on with their lives in an incredibly great way when it is my time to pass. I hope that somehow I made some positive impression on them like my son Chad did for me. He was awesome! Always smiling no matter what!

Thank you!

Leslie  www.chadssmiles.com  In honor of my son. We do not accept donations, just offer informational help for others in similar situations.

You're not gonna get a 6-pack or even remotely-strong abdominal muscles just from doing bench, but all complex lifts do slightly require stabilization of your core muscles.  Like I said though, it shouldn't be a noticeable amount usually.

Original Post by leslie49:

Another question...I work out 6 days a week. I only take a day off cause that is what I read. I just love to exercise, the feeling and the results. Thank you!

 You should avoid working the same muscles two days in a row. If you do upper body one day, and lower body the next, you could lift every day. But if you are working the whole body, the next day you are going to want to let the muscles repair. But doing cardio (preferably intervals, especially HIIT) is fine on those "off" days, so that you still get your workout high.

Check out http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php for some good info on weights.

Leslie49, we must be separated at birth!  I just posted my own thread about a similar subject - I've been working out at a new gym since a week ago Monday and I feel like I'm already seeing a difference in the way I look!  I can hardly believe it but the mirror doesn't lie, I am definitely slimmer through the waist than I was two weeks ago.  I guess your post has sort of confirmed for me that it is possible to see a difference so quickly, I just thought it might have been wishful thinking on my part.  Two weeks ago I had a little roll over the sides of my jeans and this morning as I was getting dressed I felt like that oblique area felt smoother and I was like:  "hold on here, let me look in the mirror" and sure enough, that roll is gone!

Lifting?  ROCKS!!!! 

I was reading your thread and I myself have just started.  Hoping I have as good and positive start as you have.  Staying with a diet is the toughest thing I have ever had to do.  I would have to say raising four children was easier in comparison. 

Off to do the laundry and mowing the lawn today.  Bike riding later around town and I have time to go to the gym today. 

Best of luck to both of you.

Leslie,

HI, from reading your website you are an amazing mother and your son was very lucky to have you and you to have him.  Having four adult children this does hit home and I wish the best for you. 

By the way going to the gym and working different muscles like the one of previous posts stated does work.  Just stick with it.

Original Post by maianajewel:

Leslie49, we must be separated at birth!  I just posted my own thread about a similar subject - I've been working out at a new gym since a week ago Monday and I feel like I'm already seeing a difference in the way I look!  I can hardly believe it but the mirror doesn't lie, I am definitely slimmer through the waist than I was two weeks ago.  I guess your post has sort of confirmed for me that it is possible to see a difference so quickly, I just thought it might have been wishful thinking on my part.  Two weeks ago I had a little roll over the sides of my jeans and this morning as I was getting dressed I felt like that oblique area felt smoother and I was like:  "hold on here, let me look in the mirror" and sure enough, that roll is gone!

Lifting?  ROCKS!!!! 

 Congrats! I can definately tell a difference too. I have been exercising consistently for months but when I started actual weight lifting....it really began to show. I am addicted too! And yes...Lifting Rocks! You go girl!

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Original Post by leslie49:

Another question...I work out 6 days a week. I only take a day off cause that is what I read. I just love to exercise, the feeling and the results. Thank you!

 You should avoid working the same muscles two days in a row. If you do upper body one day, and lower body the next, you could lift every day. But if you are working the whole body, the next day you are going to want to let the muscles repair. But doing cardio (preferably intervals, especially HIIT) is fine on those "off" days, so that you still get your workout high.

Check out http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php for some good info on weights.

 Thank you! Great site...today I am taking off and going to lay in the pool and get some Texas sun. Maybe I will sweat off a few! LOL!

Original Post by dcyounts:

You're not gonna get a 6-pack or even remotely-strong abdominal muscles just from doing bench, but all complex lifts do slightly require stabilization of your core muscles.  Like I said though, it shouldn't be a noticeable amount usually.

 Can women get 6 packs? Even in my best shape in the 1990's (my 30's) I worked out all the time and did construction work, cut and split wood, cleared land, etc. (natural born tomboy) Could not pinch an inch and I never had a 6 pack..just lean hard muscle...I am aiming for that again. Looking forward to splitting wood this coming winter.

Original Post by webski2000us:

Leslie,

HI, from reading your website you are an amazing mother and your son was very lucky to have you and you to have him.  Having four adult children this does hit home and I wish the best for you. 

By the way going to the gym and working different muscles like the one of previous posts stated does work.  Just stick with it.

 Thank you so much! I had to get a grip on myself after Chad passed in my arms...I actually wanted to go with him. It was a fog for quite awhile but he made us promise I would be OK before he left us. I have learned to make the very best out of my life because of it. I quit smoking, quit drinking wine, got off Xanax that I had been on ever since he passed away and now I am doing all this since the thyroid was removed. Sooo....thank you and I was the one that was so blessed to have Chad as my son. What an incredible person! Always smiling..a lot to be learned from him...still to this day!

I love this working out thing, especially the weight lifting. It is so much fun and keeps me busy which is good for the spirit. The benefits are awesome with the losing weight as a bonus!

Original Post by leslie49:

Original Post by dcyounts:

You're not gonna get a 6-pack or even remotely-strong abdominal muscles just from doing bench, but all complex lifts do slightly require stabilization of your core muscles. Like I said though, it shouldn't be a noticeable amount usually.

Can women get 6 packs? Even in my best shape in the 1990's (my 30's) I worked out all the time and did construction work, cut and split wood, cleared land, etc. (natural born tomboy) Could not pinch an inch and I never had a 6 pack..just lean hard muscle...I am aiming for that again. Looking forward to splitting wood this coming winter.

Yeah I've seen a lot of women with 6-packs.  Usually, they are dancers or gymnasts and have very low body fat percentages.  It is definitely harder for a woman to get a 6-pack than a guy though since men put on muscle more easily and have naturally lower body fat percentages.

Original Post by dcyounts:

Original Post by leslie49:

Original Post by dcyounts:

You're not gonna get a 6-pack or even remotely-strong abdominal muscles just from doing bench, but all complex lifts do slightly require stabilization of your core muscles. Like I said though, it shouldn't be a noticeable amount usually.

Can women get 6 packs? Even in my best shape in the 1990's (my 30's) I worked out all the time and did construction work, cut and split wood, cleared land, etc. (natural born tomboy) Could not pinch an inch and I never had a 6 pack..just lean hard muscle...I am aiming for that again. Looking forward to splitting wood this coming winter.

Yeah I've seen a lot of women with 6-packs.  Usually, they are dancers or gymnasts and have very low body fat percentages.  It is definitely harder for a woman to get a 6-pack than a guy though since men put on muscle more easily and have naturally lower body fat percentages.

 Well, I'll be darned! Now I have something to strive for. I didn't think I could have been in any better shape back then..hmmm! Will try again! Thanks for the info! I hope at 50 I can do it again!