I hear alot on this site that the only way to get a cut midsection is to reduce overall total body fat, which I totally agree with. But I have even heard some comments that building abdominal muscles can even make the love handles even worse is appearence since all it does is push the subcutaneous fat out? So, in a fat loss regimine is it worth it to do the 200 crunches a day?
I dont believe in spot reduction either but it just seems like working that area would increase fat mobilization as well. No???
SOMEONE GIVE ME MOTIVATION TO DO CRUNCHES!!!!!
|
|
Results 1 to 7 of 7
Thread: Are crunches worth doing???
-
04-21-2003, 09:20 PM #1Registered User
- Join Date: Apr 2003
- Posts: 142
- Rep Power: 256
Are crunches worth doing???
-
04-21-2003, 09:49 PM #2Registered User
- Join Date: Jan 2003
- Location: Medford, New York, United States
- Posts: 1,043
- Rep Power: 4572
Re: Are crunches worth doing???
Think about all the people who are in absolute misery because of back pain. Strong abs, as much as strong back muscles, are important in preventing back pain. That should be plenty of motivation.Originally posted by camo1131
I hear alot on this site that the only way to get a cut midsection is to reduce overall total body fat, which I totally agree with. But I have even heard some comments that building abdominal muscles can even make the love handles even worse is appearence since all it does is push the subcutaneous fat out? So, in a fat loss regimine is it worth it to do the 200 crunches a day?
I dont believe in spot reduction either but it just seems like working that area would increase fat mobilization as well. No???
SOMEONE GIVE ME MOTIVATION TO DO CRUNCHES!!!!!
As far as appearance is concerned, well-developed abs might push out the fat a bit, but dropping some body fat will take care of things.
-
04-22-2003, 02:34 AM #3Registered User
- Join Date: Sep 2002
- Location: Here (though sometimes there).
- Posts: 6,771
- Rep Power: 888
You can't spot-reduce fat (without local injections of prescription drugs), so get that concept out of your head right now. "Cut" abs come from low overall bodyfat. The first place fat goes on is the last place it comes off. There are no shortcuts or work-arounds (other than the pre-mentioned drugs). Massive amounts of crunches/leg lifts/sit-ups/etc are not going to give you magically cut abs. If you don't want "love handles", then diet smart and get rid of them.
As was mentioned, muscular strength and a stable, injury-resistant mid-section are adequate reasons to work your abs.
Regarding motivation, you have to learn to motivate yourself, or else you'll find yourself getting nowhere in life.aut viam inveniam aut faciam
-
04-22-2003, 07:04 AM #4
Yep, strenghtening the abs to prevent injury is worth it. But you should work them out just like your other muscle groups: low-reps / high weight. So stop doing 200 and do 20 weighted ones instead.
-
-
04-22-2003, 07:29 AM #5How can you do 200 crunches in 1 set?Originally posted by Francis
Yep, strenghtening the abs to prevent injury is worth it. But you should work them out just like your other muscle groups: low-reps / high weight. So stop doing 200 and do 20 weighted ones instead.
-
04-22-2003, 07:44 AM #6Registered User
- Join Date: Apr 2003
- Posts: 142
- Rep Power: 256
i dont do sets of 200
sorry if it sounded like that, 1 set= 20 traditional crunches straight up/down, 10 left oblique, 10 right oblique.
-
04-22-2003, 09:22 AM #7Registered User
- Join Date: Apr 2003
- Location: Northern Virginia
- Posts: 1,014
- Rep Power: 626
If you're doing 200 crunches and don't have ripped abs then you might not be using proper form. Put your hands behind your head when doing crunches on an ab bench. Use a slow and controlled motion and remember to breathe.
This routine works for me:
(1.) Upper: 3x25 crunches on an decline ab bench
(2.) Obliques: 3x25 oblique crunches on a mat
(3.) Lower: 3x20 supinated hip thrusts on a mat
Half deadlifts and half front squats also work abs.
Bookmarks