How to do Ab Crunches
the Right Way!
Ab Crunches are one of the most popular exercises for stomach. Part of its popularity is because of the fact that you can do it anywhere and don't need any equipment to do it.
Having said that lot of variations of ab crunches also exist. For example:
Love-Hate Relationship with Crunches
I know a lot of fitness buffs like you love abdominal crunches because it is easy to perform and you can really feel working your muscles... but lot of people also think otherwise.
There are people who hate them because of the neck pain it gives because of poor technique, and also because they actually have not seen any benefit out of it.
So why have they not seen any improvement with stomach exercises? It is because most of them think spot reduction is possible, which is the number one ab exercise myth.
So here is how to do Ab crunches...the correct way!
Abdominal Crunches - The Right Way!
The popularity of Ab Crunches is because of the following reasons.
At the same time, they also have some limitations, which you can overcome by using these simple variations.
Increase Range of Motion
Lying on the floor, you only use a small and limited range of motion. It limits the amount that your spine can move, which in turn limits how much your core ab muscles can work.
A simple variation to make your ab crunches more effective... do crunches on an exercise ball!
Do Stretching & Flexibility Exercises!
A stiff back will not let the spine move comfortably, which in turn will limit your range of motion during ab crunches.
Besides, because of the stiffness, the excess pressure will go to your neck which will lead to pain in your neck after some repetitions.
To remove the stiffness in your back and for your spine to move comfortably, you need to do stretching & flexibility exercises before you do your stomach exercises.
Increase Resistance
Doing lots of repetitions is good for building endurance, but if you want to get stronger you need to do something else…you must constantly increase the resistance.
If you use only your body weight to do ab crunches, it will become less effective over time and your strength will plateau.
To overcome this challenge, add resistance to your crunches! You can use dumbbells or medicine balls so that your ab strength does not plateau.
Follow a Complete Fitness Routine
Just because you are short of time, or cannot devote time on a regular basis, does not mean you should concentrate only on one particular part of your body.
Spot Reduction is a very big myth when it comes to fitness. You just cannot work on a particular spot through targeted exercises, and make that spot stronger or get rid of fat from there.
You have to follow a comprehensive fitness program. Include ab exercises, aerobic exercise, and weight training in your fitness routine, and follow a proper nutrition plan.
Summary
If you have not had good results with ab exercises, chances are that you have not been doing it correctly. The information provided here should help you learn how to do ab crunches in the right manner. So pull up your socks and take to ab crunches with renewed energy using the techniques mentioned here. Ab Crunches are the easiest way to develop strong ab muscles.
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