Training Stomach Muscles for Size

Hey I need some help, Im mainly training for strength, however I would like some large abs and obliques. SO does anyone know a workout I can do to supplement my 5x5 routine, because all im doing at the moment is 4x50 sit ups with a 10kg plate twice a week which I know isnt really very good. I’ve got acsess to most equipment but I dont have a training partner. So does anyone know any decent stomach work outs for size?

All the ones on the internet are about getting 6 packs in 5 minutes which I know is bullshit.

There are some abs articles on T-Nation that address this. I have read that the abdominals and obliques don’t respond well to hypertrophy though. If you are looking for strong abs then consider doing any of these :

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/WaistWt.html#anchor172895

Just treat your abs like any other muscle and train them with a set/rep scheme with progression and they should get stronger.

Or you could just squat.

Train low reps and added resistance.

The best ones are these with added weight:

The Bill Starr 5x5 (Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos) incorporates ab work twice weekly (once weighted, once max-reps). Though on re-reading your post, it looks like you’re already doing lots of sit-ups weekly.

Which 5x5 are you doing?

Thanks for the replies. This is the 5x5 routine im using

Do you really want a turtle shell stomach to dominate your body.

Weighted ab work then!

Well maybe not a turtle stomach but if you look at my pictures I dont need to worry about that happening anytime soon. Im going more for a washboard.

Also what do you mean by low reps, we talking the 5-10 range?

Ever heard of planks/iso abs. I find these to do me wonders! I have never been able to see or feel my abs before until a month ago. I can say that it was part of my diet, HIIT, and weight training, but I definately believe its because I’ve been doing a decent ab workout that works for me:

a) 3x1.5minutes of iso abs w/ 25lbs on my back. (rest 1minute between each set)

b) REST 2 MINUTES

c) Side planks. 3x1minute with 1minute rest inbetween sets (after left and right).

d) REST 2 MINUTES

e) a variation of crunches (25 times)(just going up half way. trying to bring your chest to the ceiling and having your arms by your side.) and moving (25 times) the 25lbs from left to right on different angles (moving your torso up and down)

f) REST 1 MINUTE

g) frog curls 3x12(putting the top of your feet on a swiss ball (being fully extended) and bringing it towards you.)

This seems to be working for me, but we’re all different. Hope I helped.
RS

[quote]Brisks wrote:
Hey I need some help, Im mainly training for strength, however I would like some large abs and obliques. SO does anyone know a workout I can do to supplement my 5x5 routine, because all im doing at the moment is 4x50 sit ups with a 10kg plate twice a week which I know isnt really very good. I’ve got acsess to most equipment but I dont have a training partner. So does anyone know any decent stomach work outs for size?

All the ones on the internet are about getting 6 packs in 5 minutes which I know is bullshit.[/quote]

do you guys not read the articles on T-Nation at all???

its all there

[quote]ZeusNathan wrote:
Brisks wrote:
Hey I need some help, Im mainly training for strength, however I would like some large abs and obliques. SO does anyone know a workout I can do to supplement my 5x5 routine, because all im doing at the moment is 4x50 sit ups with a 10kg plate twice a week which I know isnt really very good. I’ve got acsess to most equipment but I dont have a training partner. So does anyone know any decent stomach work outs for size?

All the ones on the internet are about getting 6 packs in 5 minutes which I know is bullshit.

do you guys not read the articles on T-Nation at all???

its all there

[/quote]

no shit.

Training Stomach Muscles for Size

those are the muscles you should be training most if you want size. eat eat eat eat!

I believe its genetic for the most part what shape your abs take. I have big boys.

huh???

dude… wtf…I just saw ur pictures… u need to get big all over if “gaining size & strength” is your goal.

Lift heavy, eat, and eat again.

Besides it doesn’t matter how many ab workouts u do they won’t grow if ur skinny. Their size will be dictated by your size, and if u want to “see” them u need low bodyfat levels.

my suggestion… do “ab” training to strengthen them every once in a while. Don’t over do it, and don’t overthink it.

[quote]NeoSpartan wrote:
huh???

dude… wtf…I just saw ur pictures… u need to get big all over if “gaining size & strength” is your goal.

Lift heavy, eat, and eat again.

Besides it doesn’t matter how many ab workouts u do they won’t grow if ur skinny. Their size will be dictated by your size, and if u want to “see” them u need low bodyfat levels.

my suggestion… do “ab” training to strengthen them every once in a while. Don’t over do it, and don’t overthink it. [/quote]

I know thats why I asked for an ab routine, but thanks for telling me what I already know.

For everyone that gavehelpful awnsers thanks a lot they were useful.