Let’s face it- everyone wants a flat, rock-hard, sexy midsection. But no amount of crunches or sit-ups seems to get the job done.
For years now we’ve been conditioned to think that the best way to work your abs is by doing crunches and sit-ups. All the research now shows that these are actually the worst exercises to do for your abs!!
On my recent FOX 23 fitness segment a few days ago I explained my revolutionary anti-crunch approach to achieving six-pack abs, a strong rock-solid core, and how to bulletproof your back from injury. This is a must-see video!
Here is the link to watch it-
http://www.fox23.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=2808257
The scientific term for your “six-pack” muscles is rectus abdominis and their true function is to prevent hyperextension, not to flex forward such as what happens during a sit-up or crunch.
Doing any type of spinal flexion like crunches or sit ups is harmful to your low back because it compresses the disks in your spine and places devastating loads on the disks in your lower back. So anyone looking to blow out their lower back would probably just want to keep doing crunches and sit-ups!
It’s also now been found that your rectus abdominis (6-pack muscles) are only actually working up to a 30* angle, meaning if you do a sit-up or crunch your abs are only working for 30* of the entire 90* movement then your hip flexors kick in and actually do most of the work during the exercise.
And I don’t think any of us are really trying to build up our hip flexors!
When it comes to results-getting ab training we want to focus first on anti-extension stabilization exercises that really work the deep abdominal muscles and our entire core.
Our abs are made up of several different muscle groups all going different directions and therefore need to be worked with different exercises and worked in all three planes of movement (saggital- front to back, frontal- side to side, and transverse- rotational).
Be sure and watch my recent FOX 23 fitness segment where I explain why to never do crunches or sit-ups and I have my client and fitness model Sheila with me as we demonstrate some cutting-edge 21st century ab training exercises that you can get started on immediately!
Here is the link-
http://www.fox23.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=2808257
We had a blast doing this segment so be sure and check it out and always feel free to contact me with any questions or comments!
Committed to your success,
Clint
P.S. Stay tuned for a big announcement I’ve got coming soon that’s a follow-up to this fitness segment and blog post. This’ll be revolutionary and you’ll definitely want to know about it!
P.P.S. And hopefully this is not the type of 6-Pack Abs you are trying to obtain:)
Clint Howard, MS is the Founder/Director of Tulsa Fitness Systems located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Clint has a Bachelors degree in Health & Exercise Science and a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology, both from the University of Oklahoma. Clint is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and American College of Sports Medicine and is also a Certified Boot Camp Instructor through the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association and a certified golf fitness expert through the Titleist Performance Institute.