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View Full Version : Who is doing stomach crunches?


Amy
02-08-2002, 10:07 AM
For those of you that use stomach crunches, I just want to make sure you are doing it safely and correctly.


Hopefully, you already know that you are NOT suppose to come all the way up to your knees. That hurts your back and uses momentum instead controlled motion.


The correct way is to lie on your back with your knees bent shoulder width apart.

Draw your stomach into the floor so there is NO space between you and the floor. Now don't move from that taughtness.

Your eyes should be focused on the same spot on your ceiling at all times. This will prevent you from extending your chin towards your knees.

With your hands behind your head and your elbows hanging loosely towards opposite walls (do NOT bend them towards your ears!), life your shoulders off the ground until you feel the "crunch". It should only take about 4-6 inches to do this.

repeat however is comfortable to you.

Just remember your abs should be tight lying flat on the floor.

Head remains straight and looking at the ceiling.

Only your shoulders come off the ground because your abs are lifting them up only.

have fun!! LOL

Tomorrow will be oblique techniques (your waistline) .
RCT
02-08-2002, 12:23 PM
hey Amy, thanks....been doing the crunches 2 -3 times a week....and I am doing it right...LOL....thanks for the instructions....I printed them for dh and I to referr too...thanks again....:D
AnnW
02-08-2002, 12:32 PM
:D :thumb:


yippeee.. I do them right!
JAK
02-08-2002, 01:14 PM
I do them right when I actually do them- does that count? LOL

Maybe I'll get better and do them more often.
RCT
02-08-2002, 01:36 PM
Originally posted by JAK
I do them right when I actually do them- does that count? LOL



LOL....me too....hey at least we know how to do them....and that we should be doing them.....:lol:
Marla
02-08-2002, 02:24 PM
Amy, this is great thank you.

It's like having my own "personal" on-line trainer ;)
KarlaB
02-08-2002, 04:30 PM
Originally posted by JAK
I do them right when I actually do them- does that count? LOL

Maybe I'll get better and do them more often.

ROFL! Me too!! I do hope to get better about this soon!!

Keep these posts up and the peer pressure will be sure to get me to do 'em! ;)
Karen
02-09-2002, 04:10 PM
Amy/CO,

Question about the crunches...

I had been doing them the way you described, specifically the part about "eyes on the ceiling", but the instuctor I have had for about the last 2 years (who is also a personal trainer) makes a point of telling us NOT to look at the ceiling, but to look toward her, i.e., at an angle, so as not to strain our necks. I have to say that this seems to put less pressure on my neck muscles.

What do you think?

TIA
Amy
02-09-2002, 07:18 PM
That is a good comment Karen. I did some more research and none of it stated directly what to do with your head. All I have ever taught or ever seen has you staring at the ceiling. I can see where your instructor is going too. I believe both are fine as long as you are not leading with your head and your chin does not point towards your chest.