The ab's are a stablization factor when doing squats and DL's. They act as a counter balance in concert with the lower back. The core area or link between the lower and upper body is here. Though the ab's do work hard in their supporting efforts, a direct ab exercise (upper & lower) would be required to take full advantage of this very powerfull muscle group. Working the abs, hard and heavy (along with the lower back), can make squating and DL'ing take full advantage of their greater potentional. Heavy ab work will not greatly increase the size of the waist. The internal organs do grow, just as the muscles do, giving that bloated belly look to a lot of the Pro's. It's not from exercising the ab's or over eating. Just an incorrect chemical balance of HGH, GH,'roids taken all at the same time.
Might try lying on a bench, with the legs drawn up and held down. Hold a light bar (at first) overhead as if doing a BP. Now sit up from this starting position to the top of the situp. The bar should be directly overhead at the finish of the lift. Those cheap ab wheels that you can get a Wal-Mart are very effective in working the total ad wall. They are not a toy. When the reps become easier try starting the exercise from a bend over standing position...ab killer. Princess L had a pic of someone doing leg swings which is also a good way to work the low ab wall. Fell free to work the abs very heavy and very hard, that's what they were designed for. You waist will not look like Coleman's unless your on drugs or eat like a pig.Good Luck.
