What do you think of my fiance's workout? page 2

[jfreaksho]

LOL, crunches and situps are difficult, cause a "burn", and require exertion.
Sure, they may not be optimal, but it's ridiculous to call them a waste of time (And less than push ups pull ups and plank)

I've been doing situps for years for the Army. I pretty much quit doing them, and have a stronger core than ever. Pullups, planks, and lifting heavy have done what situps cannot: train more than just the pretty muscles in the front. My pushups are increasing as well, from the added strength I'm building in my back.

[Rosencrantz1]

I think there are two important points that are being missed here:

1) The problem with crunches isn't that they are inefficient, or don't work (on your rectus abdominus and obliques, primarily), or can't, along with lowering your body fat, give you visible abs. The problem with crunches is that they put -- again, according to Dr. Stuart McGill -- unbelievable pressure on your discs. His studies have lead him to believe that it's not a question of *if* you will damage or even rupture a disc doing crunches; it's simply a question of *when*. The reason to advise against doing crunches is that they will likely lead to injury. (I encourage you to google Dr. McGill to read more about his research, positions, etc.)

2) The *core* and the *abs* are simply not interchangeable ideas, and while crunches do indeed work your abs, they do not work a good portion of your core. As Schuler and Cosgrove discuss in NROL for Abs, the core includes a number of muscles in your back, around your torso, leading up your spine, and down into your pelvis. The purpose of this musculature is to lend support and stability to the spine, NOT to flex you forward. To work the core is to work that entire musculature towards the purpose of stability, and this is why planks and related exercises are good for developing abs AND the remainder of your core as well. This is also why the above poster who mentioned heavy squatting is correct; doing loaded work like that where you are struggling to keep your spine neutral and stable is a very good core workout.

So, yes, I would say that with diet and crunches, you can build visible and even strong abdominal muscles. By avoiding crunches and doing stability work for your entire core, you can build not only visible abdominal muscles, but a stable mid-section that will better resist injury. And, regardless, you need to be lean to see those abs.

[OnlyBodyWeight]

This reminds me of the jogging debate.

Yes, jogging is GUARANTEED to destroy your knees/ACL.
But, the common rebuttal (from addicted joggers) is that if you do it in moderation (1-3 miles once a week) you should be safe.

Likewise, if you do 100's of crunches, I can accept you will damage your spine.
But, doing 10 crunches here or there is probably just fine.

RELATED:
Addicted joggers, bullshit Vibrams, and anti-running rant....

[OnlyBodyWeight]

So, rosencrantz and guildenstern, what are your top 3 favorite CORE exercises?
I can assume crunches is not one of them

[zoebird]

I think it's cool if she wants to do it.

I just do the yoga moves that require a lot of abs. does the trick (and part of what I already do anyway).

[Gadsie]

Skip it and just do push ups pull ups and plank. Crunches are a complete waste of time, situps are too.

How come a lot of people with abs do crunches? Do you have any pictures of people who got abs by squatting?

[SteakNchop]

How come a lot of people with abs do crunches? Do you have any pictures of people who got abs by squatting?

How about Martin Berkhan, the founder of Leangains? He never does crunches.


Or how about every single one of his clients?
And, Leangains is an absolute blip in the bodybuilding and fitness world. There are thousands of other people who don't do crunches and have abs, too.

Crunches are idiotic. They do absolutely nothing. Put crunches in the same category you put healthy whole grains.

[Gadsie]

How about Martin Berkhan, the founder of Leangains? He never does crunches.


Or how about every single one of his clients?
And, Leangains is an absolute blip in the bodybuilding and fitness world. There are thousands of other people who don't do crunches and have abs, too.

Crunches are idiotic. They do absolutely nothing. Put crunches in the same category you put healthy whole grains.

K, but I'm sure he doesn't just do squats deadlifts bench and press. So, what is it? Planks and pullups?

[zoebird]

yeah, my husband doesn't do crunches either. He just squats, deadlifts, overhead press, bench press, calf raise (you know, his personal vanity), rows and chins.

i just do yoga (and walk/sprint/parkour practice). it doesn't involve crunches.

[Wanderlust]

How come a lot of people with abs do crunches? Do you have any pictures of people who got abs by squatting?

How come people eat trying to lose weight eat whole grains? Because everyone thinks that's the way to do it.

I haven't done a crunch in...god maybe 6 years? I do some leg raises, and planks every now and then. And yes I have a six pack.