Want to break plateau, and train core. Suggestions?

[jklunder]

Hi Everyone,

I need a new program to break through my plateau. I tried the 5x5 paradigm; but, I quickly reached a point where I was not making gains in strength or mass.

The weakest part of my body is my core. I would especially like to work hard on my obliques. (as they're so weak that it looks like I have love-handles, even though it's just weak ab muscles).

What I want:

New workout plan that also includes how much cardio to do, as well as the type of cardio to do (e.g. HIIT or long/slow cardio).

Background:

I've been lifting for over ten years, taking plenty of supplements along the way and thoroughly learning about nutrition.

While I was a chubby kid, and still gain body fat fairly easily, I am a "hardgainer" in the sense of having a very hard time gaining strength and muscle mass.

Right now, my max bench press is around 245 lbs (I think I can do that twice, on a well-rested day). My max squat is around that. I can do about 6-8 pull-ups.

What do you guys suggest?

Thanks,

Joe

[Mr.City]

Are you trying to lose weight or get stronger?

[Jason B]

God there's a lot to tackle here. I'm gonna make it easy: buy Practical Programming, read it, start with the novice program and progress from there.

I'm curious to know how you've determined your "core" is so weak? Just because it looks like you have love handles does not mean your obliques are weak. I have love handles, I can assure you my obliques (and my abs) are not weak.

Unless you have a particular reason for it (i.e. training for something, job, etc) there is no need to do "cardio," especially with the goals of strength and mass. And no, "general health" and "keeping the fat down" are not good reasons. Check your diet.

If you've "thoroughly learned about nutrition," you should not have a need for "plenty" of supplements. It's quite simple, if it grew it out the ground, swam in the ocean, was alive at one point, or came out of something alive (think milk, eggs), eat lots of it. If it comes in a box or wrapper, or has ingredients you can't pronounce, probably should avoid it.

[tescott]

Troll

[jacob cloud]

Troll

+1

[Chewie_jrc]

Troll


+1

+2

...and not even a very good Troll at that. I'm pretty disappointed.

[stronger]

Troll


+1


+2

...and not even a very good Troll at that. I'm pretty disappointed.

how is he a troll guys? He might just have no idea about the general philosophy of this board

[Jon]

Troll +3

[Jason B]

I'm lost on the message board lingo. What's a troll?

[misspelledgeoff]

Either a troll or very very lost. Quick someone post a link to bb.com.

[stronger]

I'm lost on the message board lingo. What's a troll?

a troll is someone who intentionally posts outrageous or stupid material, subtly or obviously.


Either a troll or very very lost. Quick someone post a link to bb.com.

or we could try and help him.


OP, have you read Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe?

[tescott]

Let's count the trolling points:

5x5
'Core'
Obliques
Targeting the obliques to lose fat there
including cardio
giving examples of HIIT and LSD for cardio
lifting for 10 years, with low maxes
lots of supplements..
..while thoroughly learning about nutrition
being a hardgainer
giving bench as a max
squat the same as bench

c'mon, can't get much less subtle than that...


Hi Everyone,

I need a new program to break through my plateau. I tried the 5x5 paradigm; but, I quickly reached a point where I was not making gains in strength or mass.

The weakest part of my body is my core. I would especially like to work hard on my obliques. (as they're so weak that it looks like I have love-handles, even though it's just weak ab muscles).

What I want:

New workout plan that also includes how much cardio to do, as well as the type of cardio to do (e.g. HIIT or long/slow cardio).

Background:

I've been lifting for over ten years, taking plenty of supplements along the way and thoroughly learning about nutrition.

While I was a chubby kid, and still gain body fat fairly easily, I am a "hardgainer" in the sense of having a very hard time gaining strength and muscle mass.

Right now, my max bench press is around 245 lbs (I think I can do that twice, on a well-rested day). My max squat is around that. I can do about 6-8 pull-ups.

What do you guys suggest?

Thanks,

Joe

[stronger]

Let's count the trolling points:

5x5
'Core'
Obliques
Targeting the obliques to lose fat there
including cardio
giving examples of HIIT and LSD for cardio
lifting for 10 years, with low maxes
lots of supplements..
..while thoroughly learning about nutrition
being a hardgainer
giving bench as a max
squat the same as bench

c'mon, can't get much less subtle than that...

this describes 90% of the fitness community though

[tescott]

Deleted this, because I don't want to feed this troll any more than we already have.

[jklunder]

Hi Guys,

I did buy "Practical Programming" and will read it this weekend.

I'm just wondering about practical tips you guys have used to get as muscular, lean, and have a good physique in the least amount of time possible. If you have any genuine advice, please feel free to share it. If not, please don't insult me, it just wastes everyones' time and risks you getting reported.

I've worked very hard for years and years, I will continue to do so.

Thanks,

Joe

[mstrofbass]

Hi Guys,

I did buy "Practical Programming" and will read it this weekend.

I'm just wondering about practical tips you guys have used to get as muscular, lean, and have a good physique in the least amount of time possible. If you have any genuine advice, please feel free to share it. If not, please don't insult me, it just wastes everyones' time and risks you getting reported.

I've worked very hard for years and years, I will continue to do so.

Thanks,

Joe

lol

[misspelledgeoff]

Do you have some pose-down pic's you could post ? That might help us assess where you are currently.



Hi Guys,

I did buy "Practical Programming" and will read it this weekend.

I'm just wondering about practical tips you guys have used to get as muscular, lean, and have a good physique in the least amount of time possible. If you have any genuine advice, please feel free to share it. If not, please don't insult me, it just wastes everyones' time and risks you getting reported.

I've worked very hard for years and years, I will continue to do so.

Thanks,

Joe

[Chewie_jrc]

Hi Guys,

I did buy "Practical Programming" and will read it this weekend.

I'm just wondering about practical tips you guys have used to get as muscular, lean, and have a good physique in the least amount of time possible. If you have any genuine advice, please feel free to share it. If not, please don't insult me, it just wastes everyones' time and risks you getting reported.

I've worked very hard for years and years, I will continue to do so.

Thanks,

Joe

lol.

hint: don't be so obvious with your trolling, you will probably get better results.

[mstrofbass]

This is a message from jklunder at Starting Strength Forums ( http://startingstrength.com/resources/forum/index.php ). The Starting Strength Forums owners cannot accept any responsibility for the contents of the email.

To email jklunder, you can use this online form:
http://startingstrength.com/resources/forum/sendmessage.php?do=mailmember&u=5342

OR, by email:
mailto:

This is the message:

Hi Mstrofbass,

I see that you think I'm "trolling" on the forum; please, don't accuse me of things that aren't true.

As I understand it, trolling is when someone tries to post info to try and get an emotional response, rather than information.

I'm looking for ways to train better. If you have genuine suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.

If not, please don't insult me without good reason. It only hurts my feelings and risks you getting reported (which I never like to do).

Thanks,

Joe

[stronger]

It's probably not the best idea to post PRIVATE messages to the rest of the forum

[mstrofbass]

It's probably not the best idea to post PRIVATE messages to the rest of the forum

Other than the fact that I missed his e-mail address, which I have now edited out (but only out of the kindness of my heart), I see no reason not to.

[stronger]

Other than the fact that I missed his e-mail address, which I have now edited out (but only out of the kindness of my heart), I see no reason not to.

you dont see a reason why you shouldn't post publicly something that was sent privately?

And if he is a troll, why are you feeding him?

[mstrofbass]

you dont see a reason why you shouldn't post publicly something that was sent privately?

And if he is a troll, why are you feeding him?

No, I see no reason why I should not post something that was sent privately if he did not receive any assurances from me that it would remain private.

Because I love trolls, they're so much fun! I get a huge amount of enjoyment at how long trolls can keep their cover. This guy wasn't particularly good (too much at once), but some of them are absolutely amazing.

[stronger]

If he were a troll, why do you think he would send you a fairly coherent private message?

And a troll with 3 posts posting under a real name abbreviation isn't much of a troll. Is it possible that he isn't a troll, but that everyone on this forum jumped on him with the follow the leader mentality that it seems is typical, scaring away potentially good members? oh well.

[mstrofbass]

If he were a troll, why do you think he would send you a fairly coherent private message?

And a troll with 3 posts posting under a real name abbreviation isn't much of a troll. Is it possible that he isn't a troll, but that everyone on this forum jumped on him with the follow the leader mentality that it seems is typical, scaring away potentially good members? oh well.

The message wasn't even a private message, it was a board e-mail. And yes, it's entirely possible he's not a troll, but that's pretty funny too.

I don't care though, if he's going to say something like that to me, he's not going to last long on the board.

[stronger]

And yes, it's entirely possible he's not a troll, but that's pretty funny too.

I don't care though, if he's going to say something like that to me, he's not going to last long on the board.

this is a board where people help each other get stronger, not a forum to beat your e-chest.


what was so offensive that he said to you? He asked you to stop calling him a troll and asked you if you had any constructive advice. Crucify him!

[mstrofbass]

this is a board where people help each other get stronger, not a forum to beat your e-chest.


what was so offensive that he said to you? He asked you to stop calling him a troll and asked you if you had any constructive advice. Crucify him!

Go back and look at my posts in this thread.

[The Laughing Man]

If you squat 245lbs and are hitting a plateau, then something is seriously wrong. You shouldn't have to do anything fancy to make progress, the simplest programming, sticking to the basics is all you need.

Lucky, that's what this whole "starting strength" thingo is known for - the basics.

[strengthstarter]

I need a new program to break through my plateau. I tried the 5x5 paradigm; but, I quickly reached a point where I was not making gains in strength or mass.

I suggest "Starting Strength." You may think you are familiar with basic strength training, but reading this book will at least confirm it and be a useful reference. It will more likely teach you quite a bit. And I don't mean that as a dig on your knowledge level. It is a good book.

The general consensus in here is that you don't really need to work 'core' if you have a basic strength program going. Not sure why people are being such dicks to you, but it might be that your post is fairly naive to the way most of us train.

[jacob cloud]

Even if you are not a troll, and are truly worried about the strength of your obliques when you have a 245lb squat, this is still not the right forum for you. I'd suggest bodybuilding.com.

[Chewie_jrc]

It's probably not the best idea to post PRIVATE messages to the rest of the forum

I received that exact same highly classified, super top secret email as well. I dont' see the need to defend these trolls.

Yeah, we should all help each other get stronger, got it. But this is 2010, we know how the internet works. There is this thing called searching. His posts are completely Troll-tacular.