Ab crunches

Muinteoireamonn

Started a beginners resistence weight training program two weeks ago, which i am enjoying as Im not a fan of cardio. However I have to do two sets of 20 crunches which I am finding very difficult (and embarrassing) I know it might seem nothing compared to others but its the only thing i have difficulty with. Is there a better way to target the ab muscles? Or should i keep prodding on.....ill add that im just under 17 stone and 5 11, need to lose the weight!

EileenG

Are you doing it right? The crunch is actually a very small movement, you focus on bringing your ribcage closer to your hips, not lifting up your shoulders or anything. Where you put your arms can make a different. If you can't do 20 with your fingers beside your ears, try crossing your arms over your chest, or putting your hands on your thighs and sliding them to your knees as you crunch.

You can also do your crunches on a swiss ball, and adjust your angle until you find the point where you can do a full set.

The plank is another great ab exercise, but I find it a lot harder than crunches.

corribdude

I never like crunches. I dropped em months ago and do leg raises and planks instead for direct core work. These have worked much better for me than the crunches I used to do and also they are not as hateful. Heavy squats are better again imo for strengthing abs.

RobAMerc

hi guys,

Are crunches the only way to loose the belly ?
I am loosing weight from everywhere else but the belly is still knocking about.
Sorry to rob your thread op.

Neo#

Just started them myself. Its tough if you are doing them starting off with hands behind your ears. Try it with hands raised above chest.

See here: http://www.scoobysworkshop.com/abs.htm

rubadub

RobAMerc wrote: »

Are crunches the only way to loose the belly ?

No, you cannot spot reduce fat to any great degree. I would not bother with crunches at all. Heavy squats as mentioned will do, if you are overweight just do bodyweight squats.

I do leg & knee raises on a chinning bar, L-sits, ab rollouts, and tricep pushups on gymnastic rings which kill my abs.

Tricep pushups like this


That scooby site is good, he has some great youtube videos, found it about a week ago, has a self spotting set up.

EileenG

Agree, abs are built in the kitchen not the gym. Everyone has a six pack, most of us have a layer of fat hiding it. Lowering your bodyfat will let you see it.