Can I get a 6pack while totally avoiding crunches?

[Underwraps]

I hate hate haaaaate crunches. I've heard it since the early 80s about how to do them properly by sinking in my lower back. But, darnit! Maybe I just have an extra arched back (which give me a great hip to ass curve btw that I am proud of) and I always end up hurting in my lower back or the back of my neck. (My big head.) lol

I do martial arts kicks, leg lifts, machines, and I get on those half big ball w/handle bar contraptions to do forward leg lifts. (I'm a newbie to the gym scene though have half heartedly exercised independently for years since the birth of aerobics and Richard Simmon's afro. So sorry, don't know all the terminology and names for things.) Anyway, I also see ads for these workouts like "Insanity" and I figure I can do the same stuff on my own or during the kickboxing classes. Not been at it long enough to answer my own question and I have a stubborn fatty loose area around my belly button from having 2 kids. Can it be done? Can I avoid dose stupid crunches or what???

 

[brandonp005]

Yes you can..Abs are merely the fact of having low body fat in the midsection. However, doing ab excercises are good for strengthening your core and I don't recommend cutting ab exercises out completely.

Proper diet and cardio is the way to get visisble abs.

 

[joe d]

seing abs is 90% low bf. the other 10 is muscle. running, jumping, squatting, playing any physical sport, biking are all good for abs.

 

[crulexis]

What % body fat do you think you start seeing abs easily, and when do you ALWAYS see them?

I know it's different for everyone..

 

[moya]

squats and deads works for me...

 

[Chezdon]

Why do people think abs are some sort of alien, unique muscle.

Just because they're hid behind a wall of fat (for most people), doesn't mean they're any different.

Yes, they will visible with cardio and a good diet, but, they'll be weak. No excuse not to directly work them.

 

[Underwraps]

Why do people think abs are some sort of alien, unique muscle.

Just because they're hid behind a wall of fat (for most people), doesn't mean they're any different.

Yes, they will visible with cardio and a good diet, but, they'll be weak. No excuse not to directly work them.

I do work them with those machines and the leg lifts. Do you mean working on them directly w/o machines? I can do old fashioned bent knee sit ups- I just hate crunches.

 

[Chezdon]

I lie on the floor and keeping my legs straight raise them to a 90 degree angle. Different to a crunch, but still works.

To make it harder I hold a weight with my arms outstreached, and do V sit ups. Youtube it if not sure.

 

[kx250rider]

I have a life-long bad back (extra disk and a condition called spinabifida, as well as sciatica). I have to lie on the floor, and put my legs up on the bench (knees at square 90-degree angle), to do my crunches. I also have a vertical crunch bench, and a knee raise stand. I also have a Nautilus selectorized ab machine, but I don't use it due to lack of room in my gym. That machine would be perfect for anyone with back trouble, as you sit in a chair, put a seat belt on, and your back stays tight against the backrest the whole time.

Long story short, you must work your abs hard, and keep it up. It's true you'll see them with low body fat and no work, but you'll see little, weak abs.

Charles

 

[b fold the truth]

Put simply...do what works. I wish that I could squat 1,000 lbs raw by doing something easier than heavy squats...but I can't. Of course...the squat is my 2nd favorite exercise though.

Try other exercises and diet manipulation and constantly monitor your progress. If you don't see progress...change it!