I think I am doing my abs wrong. I do 3 sets of crunches and 3 of backward crunches ( I follow what is in the BRx book.) I don't feel a burn even when I do 100 of the regular crunches. Last nite, I held them for 3 seconds each and I still didn't feel a burn. With the reverse ones, I put the bench on a slant, and I could only do 25, but this morning my lower back is sore so I think I did them wrong.

Any advice? I want to get the most out of my abs, but I need help!!

Thanks

Robin

me and a friend were arguing about how many times per week the abs should be worked. according to the BRX book, only once. however, her trainer told her 3 times a week. what says the FORUM??????

Well, BRx says only once per week for each area, not just abs.

I am just trying to figure out how to work them better.

Robin

I work them when I do cardio...after my cardio. So for me, that would be 2-3 times a week.

Of course I know you've heard this one about 1,203,309 times...

"abs are made in the kitchen" SO TRUE.

Anyway...speaking personally...I find I get more of a burn if I concentrate on my ab muscles when I'm crunching or whatever. Here are a few of my personal ab tips...

1) While crunching, try and push your belly button to the floor...and keep it there...know what I mean?

2) I hold a five-pound weight behind my head when doing floor crunches - when I'm using the Roman chair I hold the weight (or a medicine ball) at my waist.

3) I don't rest between sets.

I bought one of those exercise balls. I do my ab work lying on it. I've had great results and no back pain. It cradles my lower back and I can also extend back further reaching a burn in my muscles.

mamawren - i was just about to say that!

I love my exercise ball! It makes me engage all my muscles for balance (or else I would fall off the ball) and it really makes me concentrate on just my abs.

http://members.warpnet.net/lnpetty/abbootcamp.htm

Give you some ideas If you do THIS once a week Im sure it will be fine hehe

I was doing it before but I havnet in the last while (lazy).

Tidey

Robin -

I've read that when you work abs you really have to consider the whole trunk area - lower back, obliques and the traditional front 'abs'. You may want to target all three of these areas using any of the suggestions above - especially lower back. I find doing hyperextentions (for lower back) plus abs works well for me.

Another good exercise, can't remember what they called it, is for trunk stabilization, and is lying flat on your stomach on the mat, then raising up on your bent elbows and toes while keeping your whole torso as flat as a board. Holding that for 60 seconds will certainly give you a burn...

BethO

hi Robin

i sent you a private message with a great website link.

good luck

adriana

Using an excercise ball works great and works your whole core. I find it helps me keep good form. I rarely got sore before I started using one.

And, yep, abs are made in the kitchen, so think about that when those Red foods start to call your name!

Ok.....call me dense......but what does it mean "great abs are made in the kitchen?"

Sorry......I have not heard that one before!!

Robin

Abs don't show up until your BF% is pretty low. The only way to get there is by eating clean. You can work your abs hard but if you eat too much Red/free day food and don't stay on plan, all the great workouts in the world won't get you good abs.

Hello - I don't follow the BRx or Body for Life; but I have had great results doing the Gilad exercise tapes, along with reduced calories. The tapes that I do are the "Step and Tone", and the "45/45 Split Routine for Arms, Abs, Legs".

Holly, from the "Doin' it the Old Fashioned Way" thread

Holy Holly, are those your abs??

I'm so glad you asked... because I'm really curious myself!