How effective is this Ab Exercise?

WindyKO · 01-03-2009, 04:33 PM

I see a lot of people doing these in the gym and am not sure how effective it is. I tried it today with a 45lb plate and it was like meh, didnt really feel it burn as much as when I do weighted situps or hanging leg raises.

Basically you stand while holding a 45 (or watever) plate in one hand and then lean to that side and then pull the weight up so you're standing straight again. Then you hold the weight in the other arm and bend the other way. Is this effective at working the obliques? Does anyone else do this?

Baadboy11 · 01-03-2009, 04:40 PM

I've tried what you are describing and it doesn't work for me either...unless I do it on a lower back bench thing...

Stteven · 01-03-2009, 04:43 PM

-concentrate using your core/obliques
-if you've been training for awhile, use a heavier weight (most likely gonna have to use a DB)

squat4speed · 01-03-2009, 05:03 PM

meh seems like a waste of time..
squat instead

TurboKC · 01-04-2009, 06:19 AM

Side bends? Very effective for me, I feel it in my obliques for two days after. I use a kettlebell for this one. The trick is not to move your hips in any way, and really focus on your obliques as the only muscles pulling you back up straight. Also, the only muscles in your arm doing any work should be your finger muscles gripping the weight, the rest of your arm should be limp, imagine it like a length of rope hanging from your shoulder to the weight.

Tommy2Fresh · 01-04-2009, 09:46 AM

the best ab exercise is the bicycle crunch.. just do them, its proven in medical studies to be one of the most effective ab exercises you can do

bryan200 · 01-04-2009, 09:53 AM

When you do these bicycle crunches you're shoulders should be off the ground right? Haven't done these before, but by looking at you're pics it looks like they work for you.

Shiranai · 01-04-2009, 10:51 AM

With bicycle crunches, the shoulders do come slightly off the ground, with one side obviously fairly close to the ground and the other side higher.

theognis1002 · 01-04-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy2Fresh

the best ab exercise is the bicycle crunch.. just do them, its proven in medical studies to be one of the most effective ab exercises you can do

+1 i did that **** today after some leg raises. massive burn!

Quote:

've tried what you are describing and it doesn't work for me either...unless I do it on a lower back bench thing...

yes im exactly the same... i seem to use my hips in the side bends. i need to do it on the hyperextension station.

vegasdsm · 01-04-2009, 11:53 AM

if you're doin side bends... place the hand that isnt holding weight above your head....... (then tell me you cant "feel" it)

TurboKC · 01-04-2009, 11:59 AM

Pass the ball exercise are a great one too, especially with a med ball.

Sem213 · 01-04-2009, 01:01 PM

Now on topic:
For me sidebends work great and I use them every few months in my ab routine. But you need to go heavy and really focus on using your obligues and not your hips.

Tommy2Fresh · 01-04-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryan200

When you do these bicycle crunches you're shoulders should be off the ground right? Haven't done these before, but by looking at you're pics it looks like they work for you.

yes they should come off the ground, i actually do not touch my elbows to my knee, i actually take my knee past my elbow, also, its been proven in studies that workin your abs with fast movements actually will increase contractions and therefore work them more