Core Exercises

immortalities

I am truly horrific when it comes to sit ups - unless my feet are wedged under something, but am I actually benefiting this way? - is there any other core exercises that you could recommend? Can't seem to shift this tummy I have!

Thanks! :happy:

Senneth12

Pilates. It won't get rid of your stomach; you can't spot reduce, but careful Pilates with correct form has done wonders for stabilizing my core.

RGv2

A) Situps don't work abdominals. Hip Flexors do most of the work.

Core exercises aren't going to "shift your tummy". That would be spot reducing, which can't happen. You can do core exercises all day long, but the body is going to take fat from whatever part of the body it wants for fuel, and the midsection is usually last.

C) A slimmer waistline is made in the kitchen through caloric deficit/diet, work (cardio w/ compound exercise), and patience. Your total BF% needs to drop in order for the waist area to get smaller.

immortalities

Ah thanks! Yes, I've read elsewhere that the tummy's usually the last to go but I thought sit ups would help it along and that I was holding myself back by not doing them! I'll definitely look into Pilates and work on my patience :laugh:

JustJennie1

Sit ups aren't a bad thing to do. While doing those alone will not give you a 6 pack it will strengthen your midsection. A strong core is essential for supporting the back.

As to your question if you have to wedge your feet under something then no, the exercise isn't effective that way because you're using momentum to pull yourself back up. You should be engaging your core and using the muscles to pull up. Planks are great for working the core and all the stabilizing muscles. If you go to a gym they have the crunch machine which could help you improve your technique. Leg lifts on the captains chair is good too. I just bought one of those ab wheels (SO 80's I know LOL) but that works the core and engages the back, arms, shoulders as well.

_Tink_

Planks and push ups are great for strengthening your core.

RGv2

Sit ups aren't a bad thing to do. While doing those alone will not give you a 6 pack it will strengthen your midsection. A strong core is essential for supporting the back.

As to your question if you have to wedge your feet under something then no, the exercise isn't effective that way because you're using momentum to pull yourself back up. You should be engaging your core and using the muscles to pull up. Planks are great for working the core and all the stabilizing muscles. If you go to a gym they have the crunch machine which could help you improve your technique. Leg lifts on the captains chair is good too. I just bought one of those ab wheels (SO 80's I know LOL) but that works the core and engages the back, arms, shoulders as well.

Sit-ups don't really work the "core" though. Your hip-flexors do most of the work. If have to do an exercise that resembles a sit-up, a crunch would be the better way to go. It keeps the hip-flexors from engaging.

JustJennie1

Sit ups aren't a bad thing to do. While doing those alone will not give you a 6 pack it will strengthen your midsection. A strong core is essential for supporting the back.

As to your question if you have to wedge your feet under something then no, the exercise isn't effective that way because you're using momentum to pull yourself back up. You should be engaging your core and using the muscles to pull up. Planks are great for working the core and all the stabilizing muscles. If you go to a gym they have the crunch machine which could help you improve your technique. Leg lifts on the captains chair is good too. I just bought one of those ab wheels (SO 80's I know LOL) but that works the core and engages the back, arms, shoulders as well.

Sit-ups don't really work the "core" though. Your hip-flexors do most of the work. If have to do an exercise that resembles a sit-up, a crunch would be the better way to go. It keeps the hip-flexors from engaging.

Sorry. When I hear "sit ups" I think "crunches". You're right on the full sit ups hitting the hip flexors.

toutmonpossible

As others have said, you can't spot reduce. You have to gradually reduce fat. Here's an article that lists what are supposed to be the 10 most effective ab exercises.

http://exercise.about.com/od/abs/ss/abexercises.htm

I do bicycles, the Captain's Chair, and planks. Crunches, which seem to be held in higher regard than situps, are great, too.

MsEndomorph

I agree with everyone else. Skip the sit-ups, especially if you hate them! They don't work well for the abs and even if they did, it won't help get rid of fat.

If you want to have rockin abs when you DO lose that extra fat, planks and crunches should do the trick.

RGv2

If you want to have rockin abs when you DO lose that extra fat, planks and crunches should do the trick.

Planks and crunches won't necessarily do the trick. Very few with "rock'n abs" actually do an isolated "ab" routine.

Caloric deficit, mix of cardio/strength (compound exercise), and patience.

bcattoes

Crunches
Bicycles
Planks
Push ups
Leg lifts
Training Camp (not sure if this is the 'official' name) - Sit up to about 45 deg angle, clasp your hands in front and alternately touch your elbows to the ground on either side of you.

Standing core exercises:
Standing crunches
The Wheel.
Hula Hoop

hananah89

Google "Tar Heel 400" and use the Men's Health link. Its a medicine ball workout routine that the UNC basketball team uses. I do the full routine and if you do it correctly (essentially going from one move to the next with little break) you will definitely work your whole core. Usually that and something like reverse situps on the bench or plank work my core really well. But like other people said, you can't spot reduce, only work the muscles beneath what you have.