High intensity ab workouts

[UseoForce]

I've been doing various kinds of crunches and other isometric ab workouts (like planks and leg lifts) for quite awhile now, and my abs have gotten pretty strong. However, I feel like I've plateaued. I can work my abs for 15 minutes before I really feel much. It's been a long time since I've woken up sore in the morning. I want to continue progressing, but I don't know how.

Can any of you reccomend some high-intensity ab workouts that will have me feeling the burn again? Thanks.

[de_medici99]

i suggest changing your routine if you have one. If you train your abs the same way each day (or each other) your body will get used to the workout (not feel the burn), try mixing your workout if you can. here are a few techniques to try: HIP ROLL- lay on back flat and rock your legs down to each side of the floor together as far to one side as you can.

STANDING ROTATION- stand and cross one knee up to opposite elbow (like a ground oblique crunch). alternate sides rapidly for 45 seconds. SEATED KNEE TUCKS- lay on back with legs extended, bring knees to chest, hold for 5 seconds, then lower then straight (DONT REST THEM ON THE GROUND) do this for 30-45 seconds. Try these, and good luck!

[UseoForce]

Thanks, I'll consider adding those excersises.

I have changed the routine quite a bit. I used to do all crunches and little else. Now I've been doing a varied workout for awhile, but I'm running out of excersises I can use to change up my rountine.

[Meguro]

Crunches are an isolation exercise which work wonders for making your abs look nice. Why not engage the hip flexors too, since you'll be needing them for martial arts anyway? How about weighted sit-ups, incline sit-ups, hanging leg lifts, L-sits and V-sits?

[UseoForce]

I do V-sits, weighted sit ups...

What's an L-sit?

[Meguro]

I do V-sits, weighted sit ups...

What's an L-sit?

It's an isometric exercise. Your upright torso and both legs held out at 90 deg to form an L shape. Support yourself on your finger-tips or on the handles of a dip stand, parallel bars,push-up handles, etc.

[de_medici99]

it may have been suggested already, but how bout the hanging leg lifts? if that gets old, throw in some twists with this exercise. another one to try is the elevated situp. suspend your upper torso over an edge of something (like a board or bar) and lift you torso up into a crunch. you dont have the floor supporting your back, which will work the lower abs and your lower back as well to stabilize. Along those lines try an inverted sit-up. hang from a bar with your legs (knees) and dangle. try and do sit-ups when you dangle (to form 90 degrees at waist. for added burn, throw in the twists again.

[UseoForce]

I'd do more hanging things except I cant really do them at home.

[Meguro]

Another way to up the intensity of your basic sit-up is to work the negative, ie. count to ten as you slowly lower your shoulders to the floor without letting them touch. You can also do this when you work your obliques.

[Jeet Kune Do]

You should'nt do ab training EVERYDAY, every other day the maximum