The common statement "I don't need to do ab work because I squat and deadlift heavy" is wrong and will lead to injury. This is why and how to correct it.

When I first started lifting I read that heavy squats and deadlifts will indirectly strengthen the ab muscles through stability and will hit the abs harder than if doing ab isolations. This may be partially true but this mentality will lead to disc issues over time.

The main flaw with this theory is assuming that the abdominals have already established the coordination necessary to "turn on" and "fire" as expected during the compound lifts. If you have never done direct ab work, chances are the muscles never learned how to fire efficiently.

I build a 600 pound deadlift never doing direct ab work and eventually had disc issues. When I first started doing planks, my spinal erectors would fire and be rock hard. My obliques and lower abs would shake and fire intermittently indicating a severe imbalance in my front and back core strength and Coordination. Once I "woke" these muscle groups up, it allowed for better stability through the lift and they continued to get stronger.

Best way to develope this new coordination was by doing planks and alternating driving my left and right knees to my left and right elbows with as much side bend as possible. Also doing one armed farmer walks helped too. I needed to develope the coordination to actually use the muscles.

oh ok

oh ok

100% agree OP

Good post

What's an excellent core routine then OP?

I've been training abs lately, consistently, for the first time ever really (I've always hated direct ab work)

I do a variety of direct ab exercises, but I feel like I could use some good oblique tips, as well as internal stuff i.e. whats the correct/best way to do vacuums?

I experienced something similar when I first started in the gym, but with chest. For a while nothing felt right, like I wasn't working out my chest even after going to failure. Definitely isolations helped to build that mind-muscle connection so I could engage the right muscles.

I think people are saying your title statement with the assumption that you are properly engaging your core throughout your sets, like that volume will be enough. But yeah, that's not always good generic advice depending on someone's personal experience.

Anything that promotes side bend is excellent. Also focus on breathing, you will be able to contract more if you fully exhale while bending. Really you are just trying to develope muscle memory to engage these muscles during compound lifts.

I’m not against direct ab work, but not all powerlifters train abs

Never done an ab workout in my entire life and I use to sculpt diamonds with my abs, why you mad breh?

Its different once you know how to engage them. The best way to learn how to use them is by working them directly. That allows for muscle memory to work through the lifts... Ben pollack, larry wheels, lots of powerlifters do direct heavy ab work

A lot of people go for the traditional crunch or sit up type exercises for the abs, but I personally like trunk rotation/twist exercises.