Abs? Suck in or push out?

AmberB519

I know that is probably a stupid question, and I could just as easily go google it, but since I'm here... When they say hold your abs tight while exercising, how? Does keeping them engaged mean sucking them in or pushing them out? Seriously.

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Gallowmere1984

I know that is probably a stupid question, and I could just as easily go google it, but since I'm here... When they say hold your abs tight while exercising, how? Does keeping them engaged mean sucking them in or pushing them out? Seriously.

Neither. It's completely different. Keeping your abs tight would be (excuse the comparison) the same thing you do with them when crapping or vomiting.

AmberB519

Thanks! Doing that, I can definitely feel it.

AmberB519

I know that is probably a stupid question, and I could just as easily go google it, but since I'm here... When they say hold your abs tight while exercising, how? Does keeping them engaged mean sucking them in or pushing them out? Seriously.

Neither. It's completely different. Keeping your abs tight would be (excuse the comparison) the same thing you do with them when crapping or vomiting.

Perfect visual, thanks! I'm a mom of boys, crap and vomit talk is right up my alley!

supahstar71

I'm just glad you included "Abs" in your title.

joycebug

Amber...I'm constantly trying to suck these abs in...every freaking chance i get LOL

AmberB519

I'm just glad you included "Abs" in your title.

LOL

Rum_Runner

Neither -

flex and try to push your belly button to your back

AmberB519

You and me both, Joyce! LOL Thanks, all!

journalistjen

Neither -

flex and try to push your belly button to your back

This is a good description--you don't really want to push out like you're making your belly bigger, but you don't want to suck in to the point where you can't breathe. I imagine that someone is going to punch me in the stomach--that's the tightness/firmness you want.

kooltray87

I wouldn't think of it as "sucking" them in because then you can't breathe which is the opposite of what you should be doing during exercise. Your abs are muscles and you can flex them in the same way you do you arm or any other muscle for that matter. So when they say hold your stomach tight they mean keep it flexed so that your abs feel the burn.

AmberB519

Neither -

flex and try to push your belly button to your back

This is a good description--you don't really want to push out like you're making your belly bigger, but you don't want to suck in to the point where you can't breathe. I imagine that someone is going to punch me in the stomach--that's the tightness/firmness you want.

Ok, that is basically what I meant when I said push it out. I'd be able to take a punch with it. Thanks!

KenosFeoh

Of course, when you're practicing belly dance, there are moves when you do push your abdomen out.

LorinaLynn

I imagine that someone is going to punch me in the stomach--that's the tightness/firmness you want.

That's what I do. Or imagine someone's about to touch my stomach with an ice cube.

(And if that's the case, that someone won't HAVE to imagine I'm about to punch 'em in the stomach.)

palmerar

Another good image that's not as graphic is to picture yourself trying to put on a seatbelt that is too small.

HypersonicFitNess

Depends on what you want to do...the stomach muscle is the only muscle you can train to push out or pull in....which do you want it to do?

If you push it out, you are training your stomach muscles to push out (frankly I don't want mine to push out; so I pull them in).

You should always pull your stomach muscles into your backbone, in order to train them "in" for a trim waist.

Juliejustsaying

I know that is probably a stupid question, and I could just as easily go google it, but since I'm here... When they say hold your abs tight while exercising, how? Does keeping them engaged mean sucking them in or pushing them out? Seriously.

Neither. It's completely different. Keeping your abs tight would be (excuse the comparison) the same thing you do with them when crapping or vomiting.

Perfect visual, thanks! I'm a mom of boys, crap and vomit talk is right up my alley!

don't forget farting!! Mom to two boys here....and then there is the endless references to nuts, onions, balls, sack etc. yeah...living the dream!

Cr01502

Pretend you're about to get punched in the stomach.

AckieJ

I imagine that someone is going to punch me in the stomach--that's the tightness/firmness you want.

Thanks! I was wondering myself.