Oh boy ! Now you've asked for it ! My opinions? I've got a million of em !

Abs

For those who say you work them differently...horsefeathers ! Yes they have more red fiber than some muscles, but red fiber doesn't grow much, nor quickly, so you're still going to train the white fiber part. They say progressive resistance training will make one "blocky" in the midsection. Well, perhaps if you get your abs more than 3 inches thick (8 cm.) you'd better go to high rep. It's not a danger, however, without steroids. It's a mistake I made for years. dozens of sit-ups, crunches, leg-lifts, etc. Took the advise of a man who had great abs, and started progressive resistance training and WOW ! I have a six-pac for the first time in my life !

When I was in my 20's, I was very thin, and had no fat in the midsection, but nothing that could be called a six-pac; some defination, but no cuts. So horsefeathers to those who say ab training is diet. low bodyfat will show them, but if there's nothing much there, nothing much shows!

Calves

I hear the same high rep crap for calves. For my opinion, read above ! LOL

I'll go through all the bodyparts here, so come back and check it out. E-mail me if you disagree !but don't forget to say WHY

here's what I do, and what I did for abs

Before, when I learned all of this, I was working out at home. Then I did crunches with a plate on my chest, and always striving to make the plate bigger. I also did weighted bridges. Bridges are an exercise where you start, basically, in a pushup position, but you bring your hands about 18 inches closer to your feet, so your back is arched. Then you lower your torso to the floor, and raise it again trying to use just ab power. (you can't help but get a bit of lat. and hip flexor in there).

I had Larry (my workout partner, then) hold weight on my butt, but as my abs. grew stronger, I began having my daughter sit on my butt. (she was about 90 lbs (41 Kg.) then, and I eventually had her hold dumbbells) *grin* she enjoyed the ride! Before I joined Gold's I had worked my way up to Larry on my butt for 12 to 15 reps. ( he's 160 lbs (72 Kg.)) By then, my abs showed a bit even at 15% bodyfat.