Spec me an abs cruncher

gurusan

gurusan

gurusan

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I think thats what they are called :confused:

Those funky frame things that make it easier to do crunches? I used one in weight training when I was in highschool 5 years ago and would like to get one.

Inexpensive is good, but I don't want it to fall apart.
 
I don't understand the mentality of wanting to use such contraptions. If you lack the motivation to do something as easy as crunches without the aid of an ab machine then don't bother at all?

What are you hoping to gain?

Not being a confrontational ass like this post possibly looks, it's a geniune question :)
 
i'll tell you what look like a gimmick but really gave me a workout those ab wheels where you put them on the carpet and just roll forward. blimey. not what you've asked for and you may as well just do unassisted stuff but i just thought i'd share.
 
The truth is, it's for my mother :p

But I certainly wouldn't mind having it around either because I seem to remember it helping out quite a bit to keep good form while crunching.

It's not as if I'm asking about those electro-ab-twitchy things or something :p
 
DanH84 said:
i'll tell you what look like a gimmick but really gave me a workout those ab wheels where you put them on the carpet and just roll forward. blimey. not what you've asked for and you may as well just do unassisted stuff but i just thought i'd share.
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I've got one of those, they give you evil DOMS in the abs!! :eek::D They're good and I rate them aswell.
gurusan said:
The truth is, it's for my mother :p

But I certainly wouldn't mind having it around either because I seem to remember it helping out quite a bit to keep good form while crunching.

It's not as if I'm asking about those electro-ab-twitchy things or something :p
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Fair enough. Things like that can have a place and help in certain situations. Young bucks looking to build up their bodies would be better off learning to crunch on their own steam though, even add weight and do them weighted.
 
Those dragon flags seem amazingly hard. The strength in his lower back and core...wow!

I've seen a Chinese guy do something similar, but on his front! :eek:
 
Chong Warrior said:
I don't understand the mentality of wanting to use such contraptions. If you lack the motivation to do something as easy as crunches without the aid of an ab machine then don't bother at all?

What are you hoping to gain?
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I've often wondered this Chong, but I do 50-100 situps a day, and still feel that my core (particularly my abs) need more of a work out - situps and crunches are good but something like this ab wheel surely has much more of an effect?

The Ab wheel will work more then just your core, and can be used to certain yoga exercises too.

One thing I would recommend for Ab workouts (something I do) is to use the exercise? ball and perform roll ups with your legs.

How to explain; stand over exercise? ball, jump on so you are in the press-up position with the ball sitting on your ankles. Then, keeping upper body completely still, roll your feet forward until your knees are fully bent. Repeat. This..is..hard.

exercise? ball = the big inflatable workout balls, can't for the life of me remember their name :D

MTA99 can I ask what your Ab routine consists of?
 
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platypus have you tried things like planks to work your transverse abdominus(?)? i think it's the muscle the abs sit on and ads to the tightness of your core.
 
platypus said:
By planks do you mean 'The Hover'?
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forearms flat against the floor body in alignment with feet stretched out similar to pressup position tighten core and hold. not heard it called the hover but sounds similar.


http://www.pfitzinger.com/cc.shtml


pics of plank are in there. also you can do it on a swiss ball as well if you are feeling frisky. (i think the name of those big balls you were looking for is right there)
 
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DanH84 said:
forearms flat against the floor body in alignment with feet stretched out similar to pressup position tighten core and hold. not heard it called the hover but sounds similar.
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Forearms on the floor?! Are you a girl? :confused: ;) Arms out stretched palms down and close together - Raaarrrrrrrr

*ahem*

@platypus: My general ethos with abs is to train them no differently than any other body part ie. low reps and heavy! If you do mainly compound exercises your core gets worked so crazy numbers of sets and reps aren't necessary. So with that in mind i'll generally do 3sets of 8-12 reps on one exercise then same again on a different one. Sometimes i'll superset if time is short. Basically i pick from the following (depending on equipment available):


  • Laying weighted crunch
  • Seated machine crunch
  • Laying machine crunch
  • Leg raises (with DB between feet)
  • Kneeling cable crunch
  • Side bends
  • Hanging leg raises


And now i'll add Dragon Flags to that list. Gonna work on them for the next couple of weeks, get to 3x6 ;)
 
DanH84 said:
forearms flat against the floor body in alignment with feet stretched out similar to pressup position tighten core and hold. not heard it called the hover but sounds similar.


http://www.pfitzinger.com/cc.shtml


pics of plank are in there. also you can do it on a swiss ball as well if you are feeling frisky. (i think the name of those big balls you were looking for is right there)
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Swiss Ball! Thats the baby! And yes, I do the plank/hover on a Swiss Ball as part of my routine.
 
MTA99 said:
@Platypus: My general ethos with abs is to train them no differently than any other body part ie. low reps and heavy! If you do mainly compound exercises your core gets worked so crazy numbers of sets and reps aren't necessary. So with that in mind i'll generally do 3sets of 8-12 reps on one exercise then same again on a different one. Sometimes i'll superset if time is short. Basically i pick from the following (depending on equipment available):


  • Laying weighted crunch
  • Seated machine crunch
  • Laying machine crunch
  • Leg raises (with DB between feet)
  • Kneeling cable crunch
  • Side bends
  • Hanging leg raises


And now i'll add Dragon Flags to that list. Gonna work on them for the next couple of weeks, get to 3x6 ;)
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Could you explain the laying weight crunch and seated machine crunch? Bearing in mind I'm coming from rowing so we do a fair bit of core training, but I'm not too familiar with those terms.
 
MTA99 said:
Anyone attempted a "Dragon Flag"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjCMq2zkbOo&mode=related&search=

Managed 4 on first set, 5 on the second then 3.5 then 2.5 after squats

I usually mix up my abs training, using various speeds, weights, exercises etc. but this is the first time in months i've felt my abs the next day
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They're difficult at first but soon get fairly easy. I've been doing those for years and never knew what they were called.... I got them from watching Rocky LOL! :D (he does them in Rocky IV when training for Drago)

If you want one to give you sore abs try this, though it might be hard to explain. You'll need a training partner aswell.

Lay flat on your back and get a training partner to stand over you with his feet by the side of your head (his ankles touching your ears) Bring your arms up and grab hold of his ankles for stability. Now keep your back flat on the floor and bring your legs up to form an "L" shape. Your partner should now grab your ankles. The exercise now is for your partner to try and make your feet hit the ground by pushing your legs to the floor as hard as he can and you have to stop him and bring your legs back up as fast as possible. Doesn't have to go straight , he can push to any angle, including directly sideways aswell :eek: Upto you how you time them. Take turns for 60 secs each is a good starter or just keep going until your feet touch the floor - this brings in some competition and makes you try that bit harder. I'm telling you this is one the the most brutal workouts you'll ever do, especially if your partner is stronger than you :) Hammers you abs and obliques.
 
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