Should I be sore?

trekkiebeth

I've recently added strength training to my workout. I do crunches, squats, lunges, modified push-ups, and a variety of arm exercises with 8 pound hand weights. I usually notice soreness in my legs the day after I work them, and sometimes a little bit in my arms, especially if I've done more push-ups than usual. But I never feel any soreness in my abs. I do regular crunches, the ones where you crunch toward one side or the other, and bicycle crunches. I've even been steadily increasing the amount. I think I did 150 yesterday. But I'm still not sore there at all. Is that bad? Should I be concerned? I checked the "what is a sit-up" page on twohundredsitups.com and it looks like my form is correct.

trekkiebeth

Also, how many days a week can I do this routine? Is it ok to do it more than one day in a row?

trekkiebeth

Still need help with this. (Got pushed off the first page with no replies.)

angiezee

Perhaps your abs are in better shape than you think, by that I mean that your actual muscles are used to some kind of workout. Don't stress out too much about it, if you are going to a gym try doing some of the gym ab machines with weights that might make you hurt a bit. As for the workouts. I have been told (and its how I currently work out) to work out different parts of your body on different days. That way you let your muscles rest. I do Abs Mondays, arms Tuesdays, legs Thursdays, and repeat, but I do do cardio everyday.

trekkiebeth

I don't have a gym membership, so I guess I should just keep increasing the amount of crunches and maybe find some other ab exercises to add.

outersoul

Try adding some weight to your crunches. I don't always feel sore but I do a lot of the time.

AmoreCouture

Crunches don't do much for me, honestly. Lay flat on the floor on your back and steadily lift your legs up to the ceiling while keeping them straight, or modify it and bend the legs some if needed. That should make you feel the burn. Try bicycles too.

rileysowner

The crunches are probably not doing much for you right now since you have done them so long, try switching to plank stuff (google to find out more). Oh, avoid twisting ab exercises they don't work, and can be hazardous.

bethaltman

you are probably in better shape than u realize!

sandas23

You're doing the wrong kind of ab exercises. Sit ups are fine, but they work such a small portion of your abs. Try planks (hold the starting position of a push up for 30 seconds and increase time as you get stronger), ceiling stomps (lay on your back with legs straight up towards ceiling then lift your hips up so your feet go towards the ceiling), stability ball twists (lay on back with stability ball in between legs, lift legs towards ceiling and pull your hips off the floor and twist from the waist), stability ball knee bends (start on your belly on the stability ball and walk your hands out until you are at a plank with your feet on the ball..you can stay there or advance to lifting your hips {called a pike} and then bend your knees in). There are so many more you can do, but these hit every area in your abs. If you're not sore after doing these then you are superman!

If you don't have a stability ball, I would invest in one. They are about 10-15 bucks and you can do so many exercises on them.

Good luck!

BerryH

Add resistance, either with weights or an exercise band, or keep your arms straight above your head by your ears. THAT hurts!

jane77

Agree with everyone else different kinds of work and hit more areas. But I wanted to add that if you are well hydrated before and hydrate after a workout you may (may not get as sore) water and protein and how each body uses it plays a big party in muscle soreness. so don't worry if your not sore be happy.. you know your working hard you don't need pain to tell you that.
now get down and give me 40 LOL