Stage 1: Swiss ball crunches - alternatives?

mazmataz

So I'm really loving all of the exercises in stage 1, besides this one. I just don't feel like I'm achieving anything! The recommended number of reps is 8-10, I feel like I could do 50 and be okay with it. This may be because I went a little crunch mad when I was younger, so maybe it's not so much of a shock to these muscles. Anyway, I thought that it was pretty much accepted these days that crunches are more or less useless.

Maybe my form is wrong (although it's a crunch, how wrong could it be?), but has anyone substitued this for something else? I noticed that in stage 2, planks start to come into play starting at 60 seconds x 2. I know that I struggle to hold a 60 second plank, so maybe I could start with 2 x 30 second planks instead of swiss ball crunches?

Thoughts? Suggestions?

jamifishie

I started doing them with weight plates -- I add 35lbs now, but I'm also getting bored.

glreim21

Have you tried to increase the difficulty, eg, holding on to a weight, or hands above your head? I hold on to a 35lb barbell plate, it seems to do the trick. The book does have some other suggestions on how to make it harder.

mazmataz

Weirdly adding resistance (and checking the book for other variations!) didn't enter my mind lol. I'll definitely try that first. Thanks guys!

rduhlir

You can try decline crunches.

Or put your feet on the wall.

Or move the ball further under your bum so you end up having to engage your core more to stabilize yourself. You can also try using another swiss ball and do crunches with it over your head.

MyOwnSunshine

I think that you could substitute planks (progressions) or side planks (progressions). In Supercharged, they have done away with all crunches in favor of planks, mountain climbers, and swiss ball roll-outs.