[PammyFl]

I know this really doesn't belong in this section but felt I should ask the 20 somethings. I have a really hard time doing ab exercises on the floor without having sharp pain in my back. I can do crunches all day but bicycle crunches NO WAY! It hurts so bad after 3 of them. Is it because my abs are weak and I just need to keep up with it or is my back just weak? I do have hip hop abs and enjoy the standing ab workouts but is there any other workouts without the strain?

[JennieLovesKisses]

Have you tried using an exercise ball for crunches? I don't usually get any pain when I do sit ups/crunches, I actually love doing bicycle crunches...however when I first started working out again I noticed a big knot like feeling in my lower back that made it unbearable to do anything having to do with abs on the floor. I started off using my exercise ball and slowly worked my way back down the the floor.

[PammyFl]

I use to have a ball but I didn't have room for it anymore. I probably could use one again, but Is there balls you can deflate and re inflate? lol

[mkroyer]

you could try strengthening your lower back too!! Exercises like back extensions, supermans, or even planks (google them)

You could also do harder standing ab exercises like cable twists, or on the ground cable crunches....

Remember not to kill yourself over ab work...it doesnt really matter all that much in the grand scheme. You wont see a TRACE of abs or a flat tummy if you still have pretty much ANY Body Fat covering it up. And for woman, we *usually* have to get below at LEAST 18% BF if not lower, to be able to see abs...thats UNDERFAT. Thats REALLY LEAN-- athlete lean. And also remember that abs are made in the kitchen!! Not in the gym!

[JennieLovesKisses]

Yeah its the ball you can inflate.

[PammyFl]

Mk- Thank you for the tips. I will look into some of the workouts. I am aware that you wont even see abs no matter how many sit-ups or crunches you do because its mainly based on BF%, but I just feel like my abs are my weak area and need to make them stronger UNDER the fat Thanks so much for the suggestions!

Jennie- I'm aware you inflate them but can you deflate them? I had no room for my old one and just got rid of it. Im a very space limited workerouter (new word)

[JackieL]

PammyFl - My exercise ball actually has a plug in it. You pop it out to inflate, and deflate the ball. I cant speak for EVERY ball out there, but if you go buy one just look for one with a plug.

[JennieLovesKisses]

Yeah you can deflate them as well. Like JackieL said, it has a little plug in it.

Edit: I have never seen one you can't deflate, but the one's I usually get are sold deflated and in a box, they come with a little pump. I get mine at Target.

[JackieL]

I was going to get mine from target as well, but stopped at a walmart first, and picked it up there instead. same here as well deflated in a box with the little hand pump....i dont think ive ever seen an exercise ball already inflated for sale.