Building stomach muscles

merrillfoster

So my goal overall is to be smaller (obviously), specifically in the stomach area. So my question: are crunches, etc, helping or hurting? I know I overall need to workout to develop muscle, burn more fat, get toned, etc. But are my crunches and other ab exercises making the muscles bigger, and therefore actually working against my goal of a smaller waist?

(in other words, will I get a smaller waist doing fewer crunches (just enough to tone) and more of something else, or are my crunches necessary for burning 'ab fat', specifically)

gameovergt

there are always mucles there, just hard to see on some people. your body will be happy, don't stop working your core.

lcoulter23

if you want to have fun and burn belly fat and tone your abs consider doing turbo jam. it is really fun and is like kickboxing but every move targets your ab muscles and it burns a lot of fat and calories while toning you up.

bunnysone

think of it more as strengthening your core muscles. You can do crunches all day, but if you are strengthening your core you will be improving your overall fitness to help your back, your legs and your activity, and in the process building stomach muscles.

Get used to the plank (bridge hold). that will strengthen more than anything and you will feel your stomach muscles switch on. Not sure how fit you are, but if you are up to it walking lunges with a weight, twisting to one side when you drop and hold, then the opposite side when you next lunge.

leg lifts are great - slowly lift both legs up and down - it will probably kill your stomach muscles while you are doing it but you will feel the burn for days. Pushups are also good, reverse situps and using a swiss ball for exercising will also strengthen your core

meggonkgonk

I do pilates and the mantra there is to exhale and pull your stomach in as you contract, to "build in not out".

I don't think crunches will hurt you- your muscles won't be able to build really "big" but I do think you should try focusing on more than just crunches- try to reach your abs overall- planks and side planks, leg lifts or even crunches on the balance ball to give yourself a wider range of motion.

Samerah12

Muscle is more dense than fat, so while you may not be losing lbs as fast if you are building muscle, you will most definitely still be losing inches as you replace that fat with muscle.

tross0924

Without a weighted resistance ie a 45 lbs plate on your chest as you do your crunches you're not going to add much if any size to your abs. Plus unless you're really trying it's hard for women to add size anyway, so you'll be fine.

NatalieWinning

Jillian Michaels has a DVD all about flat stomach.