slant-board for sit-ups

[e-man]

Awhile back, I got a slant-board for my ab w/o. It seems to me that occasionally, I have neck discomfort after using it. Anybody have any similar experiance?
Also, if I am careful not to attempt a full out sit-up, am I just working my adducters, or also getting some ab work in there. What I have begun doing is to do the ab work in a two step process. First I work in a more upright position, then I lye back and do crunches. And lastly, what do you all think of holding a weight against the chest while doing any of this? Hurt or help?

[HIT is best]

I bought one of these things ages ago when I started training. I dont know what yours is but the one I got was a York 250. All it did was cause me lower back problems as excessive back arching was always the case with it (this might not be the case with your model though). What most people don't realise is that sit ups primarily work the hip flexors and not the rectus abdomoni (the abs). You're on the right track with crunches and with the weight idea.

You need to sitmulate the abs in a similar fashion to the rest of the skeletal muscles in order for them to grow, allbeit at a proportionally slow rate. For this you need to apply progressive resistance. When i did crunches holding a barbell disc to my chest i found that when i "crunched", the disc would dig into my middle abs. There are much better alternatives. What i do at the moment is the overhead pulley crunch. This is where you kneel down under a cable pulldown machine (the sort you use for tricep extensions) with preferably a parralell or supinated grip handle attached, pull the weight down so that your elbows are at 90 degrees and the handle is in front of your head and crunch your abs whilst maintaining a straight, locked lower back.
I find this a teriffic exercise buts it's all personal preference. There are other versions such as the machine crunch.

For more information, read "The Insiders Tell all Handbook on Weight Training Technique" by Stuart McRobert or see www.hardgainer.com.

Hope this helps.

[e-man]

Thanks Hit,
I do my workouts at home, I do have a pulldown setup, but the machine stuff is lost on me.

[GoodForHisAge]

If you want abs, you have to be cut...
Therefore, you have to have a good cutting diet...
No matter how much crunches and sit-ups you do, if you won't have a good diet, you won't see your abs...

[e-man]

Hey GoodFor,
Now that brings up and interesting point. What exactly is good. I am not into this for any competition, so for me strength is what is important. I don't need the "cut" aspect so much...

[Buff_Daddy]

Originally posted by GoodForHisAge
If you want abs, you have to be cut...
Therefore, you have to have a good cutting diet...
No matter how much crunches and sit-ups you do, if you won't have a good diet, you won't see your abs...

i dont know why you brought this up, but some people train abs for strength

[Big H]

Originally posted by e-man
Hey GoodFor,
Now that brings up and interesting point. What exactly is good. I am not into this for any competition, so for me strength is what is important. I don't need the "cut" aspect so much...

So you on a permanent bulking routine?

[e-man]

Originally posted by Big H


So you on a permanent bulking routine?

I would be if my schedule didn't make it so difficult to consume the calories properly. In reality, my goals are to increase my strength and fitness. I have always been into tone over bulk, now at 42 I am curious just what kind of changes I can make in my physical structure.