I Hate Sit-Ups!

Khovde07
Khovde07 Posts: 508 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm looking to add more strength training to my workout routine. I'm sorely lacking in abs, so I want to add in there. But I absolutely loathe crunches and sit-ups! Does anyone have suggestions for alternative ab workouts that work the muscles without crunching? I have access to machines at my gym, if anyone has a machine they really like.
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Replies

  • Khovde07
    Khovde07 Posts: 508 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you#latest

    I built abs with zero sit ups or crunches and almost no direct ab work.

    Would you recommend any one of those in particular? I'd call myself a beginner
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Planks

    That was part of my plan. Do planks work the whole abdominal area?
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,740 Member
    Khovde07 wrote: »
    usmcmp wrote: »
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you#latest

    I built abs with zero sit ups or crunches and almost no direct ab work.

    Would you recommend any one of those in particular? I'd call myself a beginner
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Planks

    That was part of my plan. Do planks work the whole abdominal area?

    Yes, because there are many variations. Make sure you learn to do several different types with proper form and you'll hit all the ab muscles.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    Khovde07 wrote: »
    I'm sorely lacking in abs, so I want to add in there.

    You have abs. Everyone does. If you can't see them, they're hidden under body fat, and maybe loose skin too. Exercises don't target either of those. So follow any good full-body strength program, without adding any extra ab exercises. A popular plan is NROLFW. :+1:
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    the belly is worth it
  • Barfly57
    Barfly57 Posts: 333 Member
    Planks
  • THeADHDTurnip
    THeADHDTurnip Posts: 413 Member
    Standing Russian twist.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    Never did a crunch or sit up. Don't have abs, but I wouldn't incorporate either of those exercises if I wanted them.
  • Gould118
    Gould118 Posts: 544 Member
    Leg raises (side to side or up and down)
    Heel touches
    Russian twist (with a weight)

  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    SurfyPants wrote: »
    I haven't done a sit up since the 80's!!

    Yeah, I was gonna say, "not since middle school," but I guess that WAS the 80's! LOL! B)
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Ab wheel roll-outs and similar:

    xm7vj14vw9gz.png



    https://www.t-nation.com/training/anterior-core-training
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    Khovde07 wrote: »
    usmcmp wrote: »
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you#latest

    I built abs with zero sit ups or crunches and almost no direct ab work.

    Would you recommend any one of those in particular? I'd call myself a beginner
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Planks

    That was part of my plan. Do planks work the whole abdominal area?

    Definitely and depending on the variation you can hit other muscles in your body as well.

    20 ways to do a plank:
    http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20813896,00.html

    iij47x2h5ih9.jpg


    Those are great variations, however, if you find yourself compromising your plank the way she does on the 3 point variants. Don't do them until you can maintain the basic plank longer.
  • Khovde07
    Khovde07 Posts: 508 Member
    THeADHDTurnip wrote: »
    Standing Russian twist.

    I never know the proper names for anything... What is this?
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Khovde07 wrote: »
    THeADHDTurnip wrote: »
    Standing Russian twist.

    I never know the proper names for anything... What is this?

    I believe it's like #2 on the "Standing workout for Flat Abs" above.
  • karenmi
    karenmi Posts: 242 Member
    sgt1372 wrote: »
    No need to do ANY ab specific exercises (like situps, crunches, planks or whatever) IF you are doing compound weight lifting and body weight exercises.

    Commonly rcommended programs for all beginners are Starting Strength and Stronglifts and for women Strong Curves is often mentioned. The main lifts to do are: deadlifts, squats, bench press and overhead press.

    I developed a visible 6 pack just doing these lifts plus pullups, pushups and dips while also dropping my BF down to 10%.

    Losing weight and BF is critical to obtaining visible abs but all of the lifts and exercises mentioned will strengthen your core w/o doing an ab specific exercise even if they do not become visible.

    Whatecvr you oo, DO NOT do any situps or crunches because they are of limited benefit and substantialy increase the risk of injury to your lower back.

    This!!!!
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edited February 2018
    sgt1372 wrote: »
    No need to do ANY ab specific exercises (like situps, crunches, planks or whatever) IF you are doing compound weight lifting and body weight exercises.

    Commonly rcommended programs for all beginners are Starting Strength and Stronglifts and for women Strong Curves is often mentioned. The main lifts to do are: deadlifts, squats, bench press and overhead press.

    I developed a visible 6 pack just doing these lifts plus pullups, pushups and dips while also dropping my BF down to 10%.

    Losing weight and BF is critical to obtaining visible abs but all of the lifts and exercises mentioned will strengthen your core w/o doing an ab specific exercise even if they do not become visible.

    Whatecvr you oo, DO NOT do any situps or crunches because they are of limited benefit and substantialy increase the risk of injury to your lower back.

    Root cause. Nice work.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10638078/60-minutes-per-month-plank-challenge-february-2018/

    Planks. Not difficult to do, and work very well at strengthening your abdominal muscles. Many variations exist such as other posters have mentioned. Join us, set your own goal and be consistent. That's all it really takes.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    edited February 2018
    Hollow rocks are the only “planks “ worth doing if planking is something you are intent on doing. Otherwise, planking is dumb. Go Tabata on them.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    nakedraygun wrote: »
    Hollow rocks are the only “planks “ worth doing if planking is something you are intent on doing. Otherwise, planking is dumb. Go Tabata on them.

    I was sort of surprised this wasn't mentioned sooner.

    Also that list of planks- a lot of people assume plank = static/holding movement but a lot of those are done in movement- so knee to elbow and return- knee to elbow- return.

    Not just- hold the knee to the elbow.
  • rianneonamission
    rianneonamission Posts: 854 Member
    And most importantly: Find exercises you like to do. If you don't like it, move on to another. And as people have pointed out, lots of exercises work the abdominal muscles.

    I don't think I have seen it mentioned yet: Leg raises. Horizontal/Vertical, straight leg/bent leg.

    Whatever you do, if you keep your core stable during exercises you work them already. When I do deadlifts I engage my core. When I do chest flies, overhead press, etc, I engage my core.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    nakedraygun wrote: »
    Hollow rocks are the only “planks “ worth doing if planking is something you are intent on doing. Otherwise, planking is dumb. Go Tabata on them.

    RKC planks are where it's at :)
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    sardelsa wrote: »
    nakedraygun wrote: »
    Hollow rocks are the only “planks “ worth doing if planking is something you are intent on doing. Otherwise, planking is dumb. Go Tabata on them.

    RKC planks are where it's at :)

    Indeed! Hardstyle!!
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    nakedraygun wrote: »
    Hollow rocks are the only “planks “ worth doing if planking is something you are intent on doing. Otherwise, planking is dumb. Go Tabata on them.

    I was sort of surprised this wasn't mentioned sooner.

    Also that list of planks- a lot of people assume plank = static/holding movement but a lot of those are done in movement- so knee to elbow and return- knee to elbow- return.

    Not just- hold the knee to the elbow.

    These are fine, but more advanced versions. The OP said they were weak in the core area.
  • Juan2manyTacos
    Juan2manyTacos Posts: 19 Member
    Sit ups=waste of time=no bueno
    Planks, yoga, leg lifts.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    sardelsa wrote: »
    nakedraygun wrote: »
    Hollow rocks are the only “planks “ worth doing if planking is something you are intent on doing. Otherwise, planking is dumb. Go Tabata on them.

    RKC planks are where it's at :)

    Slap a plate on your back too.

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