Side bends - thicken the waist?

amicklin
amicklin Posts: 452
edited September 21 in Fitness and Exercise
Saw an article about sidebends on Bodybuilder.com. wonder if this concept applies to other side lifting exercises as well?



http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/women_10_gym_mistakes.htm

"Yes, that's right, ladies. I see you gals doing side bends to the left and to the right of me, over and over again. All I can say is STOP IT! By performing this stupid exercise you're doing exactly the opposite of what you're hoping to achieve. You're thickening your waist. I'll repeat that. You're THICKENING your waist.

If you'd like to refer to number five on this list, you will see that you cannot remove fat by working the muscle under the fat. But I find side bends to be even more evil than excessive crunches because it makes you appear wider from the front. As a bodybuilder I have been instructed to never do this exercise, ever! It would diminish any hope of creating a nice V-Taper. "

Replies

  • ferreiae
    ferreiae Posts: 1
    That's a fair argument. How does the author recommend guys and gals lose the love handles?
  • DanOhh
    DanOhh Posts: 1,806 Member
    If you have a 'spare tire' or fat you do want to do it. You're getting rid of the fat and replacing it with lean/tone muscle. This story is directed more to someone who's already lean.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    I do them and they make me sore the next day so I'll continue doing them. I aim to work the muscle not to lose the fat. That's what cardio is for. Duh.
  • cuppycake22
    cuppycake22 Posts: 224
    Thanks for sharing this post!
  • tim_fitbuilt4life
    tim_fitbuilt4life Posts: 301 Member
    Having studied in grad school where I was taught how to conduct research the first thing that I look for in an article are the "scholarly references" that would indicate the validity of the article. This way I can determine if the article when through a vetting process by academic peer in that particular field. Other than that, I just take it as an opinion. I you go out and find other opinion/articles on the same subject matter you may be surprised at the many different opinions. How would you know who to believe?
  • sbilyeu75
    sbilyeu75 Posts: 567 Member
    I lowered doing obliques (well all ab exercises) to just twice a week. Specifically, because of the thickening. I found my waist was getting bigger and giving me more of a box or man shape.
  • animatedbecca
    animatedbecca Posts: 203
    Coincidentally I was just reading this article this morning :)

    http://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness-specialist/help-for-love-handles.aspx
  • amicklin
    amicklin Posts: 452
    You certainly are correct. I do look for the source of the articles information. I was just curious if anyone else had heard this before as it was new to me.

    Don't want to focus on opinions, just the facts! :)
    Having studied in grad school where I was taught how to conduct research the first thing that I look for in an article are the "scholarly references" that would indicate the validity of the article. This way I can determine if the article when through a vetting process by academic peer in that particular field. Other than that, I just take it as an opinion. I you go out and find other opinion/articles on the same subject matter you may be surprised at the many different opinions. How would you know who to believe?
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