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Thread: ? about crunches

  1. #1
    God/dess colleen's Avatar
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    Default ? about crunches

    When you do the kind of crunches where you lift your elbow to the opposite knee, aren't you supposed to feel it in the obliques? I only feel anything in a narrow area from my belly button up toward my sternum, no matter what ab exercises I do. Also, how exactly do you keep your lower back pressed into the floor? When I lower my legs so they point straight out, my back automatically arches up.

    I don't want to keep wasting time be doing this wrong.


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    Newbie liqquableXtacy's Avatar
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    Default Re: ? about crunches

    I have the same problem when I do bicycle crunches...I can never feel it my obliques...I think its because Im short waisted, so I cant cruch up and raise a knee at the same time...lol. I found a good crunch that really works your obliques...the jury is 50/50 on it...alot of trainers say you shouldnt do them, because it can hurt your back, but I have been fine and seen results. Basically, lie on your back, and drop one knee down the floor, and hold the other knee up. Your body should look like the number 4. Because you will keep both knees bent, but have one facing out the left or right. Then crunch up...whichever side your knee is facing out on, is the side where you will feel the obliques working. I hope I explained that easily. And as far as keeping your back on the floor, pull your stomach in tightly, as though you are trying to make your belly button touch your spine. It will keep your back down.

    I also got this cool thing called The Bean...really helps you remain comfortable and in the right position while doing ab work.

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    Default Re: ? about crunches

    yes, I got it. I will try that. Thanks!


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    Featured Member Sinder's Avatar
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    Default Re: ? about crunches

    Try doing your cruches on a stability ball. The work and do wonders. Takes alot of stress off the back.

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    Banned rozz's Avatar
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    Default Re: ? about crunches

    Quote Originally Posted by liqquableXtacy View Post
    I found a good crunch that really works your obliques...the jury is 50/50 on it...alot of trainers say you shouldnt do them, because it can hurt your back, but I have been fine and seen results. Basically, lie on your back, and drop one knee down the floor, and hold the other knee up. Your body should look like the number 4. Because you will keep both knees bent, but have one facing out the left or right. Then crunch up...whichever side your knee is facing out on, is the side where you will feel the obliques working. I hope I explained that easily. And as far as keeping your back on the floor, pull your stomach in tightly, as though you are trying to make your belly button touch your spine. It will keep your back down.
    Darlin, this is a good way to crunch the hell out of your spine. I know I'm probably not going to convince you, but I'd like to dissuade others.

    Colleen, I think you just need to learn the right way to perform the Try side bends or oblique curls with the aid of a stability ball. You'll be less likely to injure yourself. Feel free to PM me if you're confused. Bad form, once it's learned, is hard to unlearn. Best to learn it right the first time.

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    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: ? about crunches

    My trainer has me situp, knees bent and legs up, and move a heavy-ass medicine ball to either side until I can't take it anymore. Is that the obliques I'm working? Not sure, I got me a long-ass waist (observe avatar), so I always feel the obliques.

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    Default Re: ? about crunches

    Katrine, so what do you do? Sounds like you're doing a standard sit up, with the medicine ball in your hand in front of you, and then once you get up, you're moving the ball from one side to the next and then doing it over again and again?? If not, please explain more, I'm intrigued by this!! How heavy is the medicine ball??






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    Default Re: ? about crunches

    Quote Originally Posted by Sinder View Post
    Try doing your cruches on a stability ball. The work and do wonders. Takes alot of stress off the back.
    I read that this is the only way Jessica Alba will do her crunches. And you know what an amazing body she has!!

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