are we cheaping our ab workout?

[wakefib]

this is just a thought i had. most of the time when people do ab work they are lying on the ground, so you do not get the whole range of motion in the abs. in any other lift this would be considered cheating. why are abs any different?
i thought of a way to do them so you get a full stretch of the abs while doing crunchs. while doing them on a swiss ball, roll up on the ball so it is low on your back so you can get a good stretch in the thoracic spine while maintain a neutral position in the lumbar spine (the proper way to do ab work).then crunch up (obviously using good form. like not straining your neck).

also, when i do cable chops i try to get a nice twist in the abs WITHOUT twisting my hips at the same time, keeping even distribution of weight on both feet. so basicly my hips are pointed forward and just my upper torso is turning.

so what do you guys think?

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

no offense but the swiss ball is a joke.

if you want killer abs- do weighted decline crunches.

 

[fortunatesun]

Sounds like a good idea someone already had:

http://alwyncosgrove.com/ModShow/ShowPage/41520

On the up side it shows your mind has a grasp on things.
When you've accumulated enough insight I suggest you call your e-book
'Beyond Abs'.

 

[silver_shadow]

famine victims have abs... they also have ribs....

 

[wakefib]

well, i don't really care about "killer abs". i workout more for athletics, not body building. for looks, you are right. decline crunchs are really good.
and all this stability work for athletes on a swiss ball is to me not the greatest idea (but i wouldn't go as far as calling the stability ball a joke, maybe for a body builders). on the other hand, there are many great exercises you can do with a stability ball. i get most of my core work from movements that you can stand and do, because in most sports (well the sports i do) you are on your feet while playing.

 

[Scotsman]

IMO, the best thing for abs in an athletic sense is to use weighted exercises. Add power to your core and you add power to everything else. The ball can be a great tool if used properly. For ball crunches use a dumbell or plate held overhead to increase resistance. There are some great machines out there that can be very helpful. Just keep from lying on the floor because as you noticed you lose range of motion. Also there is no need to do high reps to build strength, ab muscle is no different from any other muscle, low reps high weight builds strength. I typically do my weighted ab movements in the 6-8 rep range.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[SgtSlaughter]

well, on the other hand, there are many great exercises you can do with a stability ball.

Decline reverse cable cross overs with a pronated grip opposing nuetrally the vastus lateralus?

 

[al420]

Now that was some funny shit.............

I agree w/ the consensus - decline weighted for core strength - no one on this forum puts looks over function Wakefib - fyi.... now over on the AAS forum that is another story! I am aslo a firm beliver that compound lifts such as ATF or Oly squatting does wonders for your core strength.

 

[Scotsman]

Now that was some funny shit.............

I agree w/ the consensus - decline weighted for core strength - no one on this forum puts looks over function Wakefib - fyi.... now over on the AAS forum that is another story! I am aslo a firm beliver that compound lifts such as ATF or Oly squatting does wonders for your core strength.

Don't forget deadlifts, the core strength master.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[SgtSlaughter]

Don't forget deadlifts, the core strength master.
Cheers,
Scotsman

Can you do them with a swiss ball?

 

[Cynical Simian]

Can you do them with a swiss ball?

 

[Scotsman]

Can you do them with a swiss ball?

Only once you've achieved jedi master status.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[Protobuilder]

I pwn you bitches at the overhead deadlift.

 

[wakefib]

Now that was some funny shit.............

I agree w/ the consensus - decline weighted for core strength - no one on this forum puts looks over function Wakefib - fyi.... now over on the AAS forum that is another story! I am aslo a firm beliver that compound lifts such as ATF or Oly squatting does wonders for your core strength.

i never said that weighted work wasn't good for your abs. all i said was most lying down movments you don't get full range of motion. and ATF Oly squats and core lifts are the best for core strength.

 

[wakefib]

IMO, the best thing for abs in an athletic sense is to use weighted exercises. Add power to your core and you add power to everything else. The ball can be a great tool if used properly. For ball crunches use a dumbell or plate held overhead to increase resistance. There are some great machines out there that can be very helpful. Just keep from lying on the floor because as you noticed you lose range of motion. Also there is no need to do high reps to build strength, ab muscle is no different from any other muscle, low reps high weight builds strength. I typically do my weighted ab movements in the 6-8 rep range.

Cheers,
Scotsman

how is what i said any different than this? just because i said to use a stability ball in a workout?

 

[maldorf]

Some of the people in bodybuilding with the best abs never train them at all. Me personally, I like the decline crunches with weight if needed.

 

[SgtSlaughter]

Some of the people in bodybuilding with the best abs never train them at all.

So true, Genetics will always rule all.

 

[wakefib]

yes, the decline crunch is a good exercise. i never said it wasn't. but even with decline crunchs you still don't get the full range of motion, because you can't get the extention in the thoracic spine.

 

[SgtSlaughter]

yes, the decline crunch is a good exercise. i never said it wasn't. but even with decline crunchs you still don't get the full range of motion, because you can't get the extention in the thoracic spine.

Ever try rope crunches?

More specifically... either on a bench, knelling (sp?!) as to get "below sea level" with the crunch.

I do them on the floor and feel it just the same... that's my favorite ab exercise... heavy, weighted... cable rope crunches.

 

[Scotsman]

how is what i said any different than this? just because i said to use a stability ball in a workout?

I was just throwing in my opinion, not critiquing you in any way.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[wakefib]

I was just throwing in my opinion, not critiquing you in any way.

Cheers,
Scotsman

i know scotsman. sorry, i was talking to the other people

 

[al420]

i never said that weighted work wasn't good for your abs. all i said was most lying down movments you don't get full range of motion. and ATF Oly squats and core lifts are the best for core strength.

Didn't say you did bro - I was pointing out the on the training forum you will not find many who place a premium on abs, or at least on them showing (hence the "Etheopians have Abs" comments) - we tend to focus more on strength - which is why so many speak to decline weighted ab work. It has the most carry over, or benefit to the core lifts, which is what most of us are trying to improve upon.