'Trunk' musculature, Ab Wheel Roller question

[willhu12]

Rip, I have read numerous times in your articles the the primary function of the abs is isometric stabilisation, and I'm wondering - do ab wheel rollouts train this?

I was considering using decline stiups/hanging leg raises - but I wasn't sure when I read that the abdominals function primarily as an isometric stabiliser.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Ab rollouts with a wheel do train this. Do you not feel like you get enough ab work from heavy squats, presses, and pulls?

[willhu12]

Ab rollouts with a wheel do train this. Do you not feel like you get enough ab work from heavy squats, presses, and pulls?

Don't get me wrong, I was just curious as to how wheel rollouts actualy trained the abs for when I move onto intermediate training.

oh, and I'm currently lifting on the Bill Starr Power routine, which calls for Ab work and hyperextensions. Just my curiosity really.

[Abraham Vandiver]

Ab rollouts with a wheel do train this. Do you not feel like you get enough ab work from heavy squats, presses, and pulls?

What do you consider "heavy" ?

[Mark Rippetoe]

The ab wheel works by forcing you to stay in a plank as the lever arm between the knees and the wheel increases. "Heavy" would mean over 300 lbs.

[Michael Wolf]

The ab wheel works by forcing you to stay in a plank as the lever arm between the knees and the wheel increases. "Heavy" would mean over 300 lbs.

Unlike most others experiences with lifting heavy, I still find planks to be difficult starting at around 40 seconds. My 1RM lifts are currently: 405 squat, 505 deadlift, 230 press, 385 bench press, and 285 power clean. I am 6' 235lbs.

Any reason you can think of why planking for a minute is so damn hard for me, when it seems like it shouldn't be, based on my lifts? In this case, would something like the ab-wheel be a reasonable supplement, or should I stick with the big lifts only?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Depends on how you do your planks. They are hard, and I don't know that they're necessary since you get enough ab work otherwise.

[mstrofbass]

Unlike most others experiences with lifting heavy, I still find planks to be difficult starting at around 40 seconds. My 1RM lifts are currently: 405 squat, 505 deadlift, 230 press, 385 bench press, and 285 power clean. I am 6' 235lbs.

Any reason you can think of why planking for a minute is so damn hard for me, when it seems like it shouldn't be, based on my lifts? In this case, would something like the ab-wheel be a reasonable supplement, or should I stick with the big lifts only?

Breathing, maybe? Seems like you might try to hold your breath for support too long, causing you to get out of breath and not being able to catch up on breathing.

I've tried a plank once, and got bored. Probably wasn't very long, because I have a short attention span. But it was definitely long enough that I don't care anymore, unless someone who does P90x or a lot of ab work wants to challenge me.

[slowjoe]

Unlike most others experiences with lifting heavy, I still find planks to be difficult starting at around 40 seconds. My 1RM lifts are currently: 405 squat, 505 deadlift, 230 press, 385 bench press, and 285 power clean. I am 6' 235lbs.

Any reason you can think of why planking for a minute is so damn hard for me, when it seems like it shouldn't be, based on my lifts? In this case, would something like the ab-wheel be a reasonable supplement, or should I stick with the big lifts only?

It's the duration, I think. I struggle with holding a plank for time. But I can hold it for 10 seconds with an 80kg guy sitting on my butt (and have the tenner to prove it).

[Abraham Vandiver]

The ab wheel works by forcing you to stay in a plank as the lever arm between the knees and the wheel increases. "Heavy" would mean over 300 lbs.

Thank you.