Ab Work

[TX911]

I'm getting to a point where my decline weighted sit ups and saxons don't hurt anymore and are very easy, so here's my question: Is it better to increase reps or increase the weight that i'm using. Abs are tricky and i know you guys are better at this shit than i am, so info would be appreciated. This is for core strength, not a fucking six pack.

[Cap'n]

So they're getting too easy...and you're going for strength...and you're wondering what would be better, higher reps or more weight...

Are you fucking serious?




MORE WEIGHT.

[Standard]

More weight would be the logical choice

Try switching some things up now and again, toss in some hanging pikes or full contact twists

[TX911]

Originally Posted by Alan Goode

So they're getting too easy...and you're going for strength...and you're wondering what would be better, higher reps or more weight...

Are you fucking serious?




MORE WEIGHT.

yeah i am fucking serious. My old strength and conditioning coach, who has previously held records as a pro power lifter, advised me to be careful adding too much weight for the core workout because abs don't work and develop quite like other muscles considering there is so many facets to them, pretty much everything is a compound movement with the core , his words, not mine. have recently lost contact with him, which is why i figured i'd ask you guys. Sorry i fucking asked

[Nutt]

how much weight / reps are you using, and at what bodyweight, maybe that would be a better way to help consider if its 'too much'

I agree that trying to use diffrent exercises for a bit, to trade things up, would be a good idea thou

[Team Dragonfire]

if all you've been doing is moving your upper body, why not try doing exercises that move your lower body? Madmick made an awesome post about core exercises found here:


Catalogue of Core/Abdominal/Oblique Exercises

[TX911]

Originally Posted by Nutt

how much weight / reps are you using, and at what bodyweight, maybe that would be a better way to help consider if its 'too much'

I agree that trying to use diffrent exercises for a bit, to trade things up, would be a good idea thou

I'm 6'0 185lbs. Decline situps i do at 3 sets of 30 reps with a 25 lb weight. Is 30 not enough? Maybe my form isn't so good?

For the saxons I use the same 25lb plate and do the same reps and sets (so that basiclly each side gets 15.) I noticed my flanks being sore so again, maybe shitty form?

[TX911]

thanx dragonfire. Goddamn the floor wipers will kick your ass

[ShadowNINku]

Originally Posted by TX911

I'm getting to a point where my decline weighted sit ups and saxons don't hurt anymore and are very easy, so here's my question: Is it better to increase reps or increase the weight that i'm using. Abs are tricky and i know you guys are better at this shit than i am, so info would be appreciated. This is for core strength, not a fucking six pack.

well....the way to get a six pack is weighted abs and treat them like any other muscle group

for weighted abs I do 3 sets of 10-12, when I can do 12 on each set easily, I increase the weight...I don't see a reason to too many sets or reps of abs (you do have to for sport and conditioning* though with some very light weight)

dunno...what sport are you looking to strengthen your abs for? because what I mentioned was for me

[ShadowNINku]

Originally Posted by TX911

I'm 6'0 185lbs. Decline situps i do at 3 sets of 30 reps with a 25 lb weight. Is 30 not enough? Maybe my form isn't so good?

For the saxons I use the same 25lb plate and do the same reps and sets (so that basiclly each side gets 15.) I noticed my flanks being sore so again, maybe shitty form?

crap, that's a good amount of weight with lots of reps....do you hold the weight close to your chest or closer to your waist (closer to your chest being much harder)

before adding weight to my decline situps (you're talking about the decline ab bench right?), I would just hold my arms and fists closer to my head in order to make the exercise a bit harder

your numbers sound really good, how declined is your bench?
I'm 180-200 lbs 5'11 can do: 3 sets of 10 lbs 10-12 reps on this 45 degree decline with a block under it making it even more declined

I dunno how safe it would be to hold a 45 lb weight for ab work?>

I would:
1. Increase the level of the decline
2. hold the weight closer to your chest , try holding a 10lb weight behind your head and it will feel much heavier weight placed lower on your torso