One Abdominal Exercise

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12bfree
12bfree Posts: 67 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
If you could only do one abdominal exercise, what would it be? I work my core on Monday but I do crunches and planks on alternating days Monday through Saturday. Anyway while I was finishing my workout I began to wonder, if I only kept one abdominal exercise in my routine, what would it be? For me it would be planks.

I'm curious what others might choose.
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Replies

  • nlcs_nickyv32
    nlcs_nickyv32 Posts: 84
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    I like Landmine twists, palloff press is another good one, but still I lean for landmine twists
  • MrJThomasEsq
    MrJThomasEsq Posts: 144 Member
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    Squats
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,220 Member
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    Squats

    Probably this. OHP is another.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
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    Toes to bar or any of it's harder or easier variations
  • steve0820
    steve0820 Posts: 510 Member
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    Squats

    This, or Deadlifts.

    NO equipment would be any variation of the L-sit.
  • GGDaddy
    GGDaddy Posts: 289 Member
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    One exercise? I'd alternate between weighted crunch on stability ball one day:

    http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/RectusAbdominis/WtBallCrunch.html


    ...and weighted crunches the next:

    http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/RectusAbdominis/CBKneelingCrunch.html
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    front squats or over head squats- a lot of bang for buck there.

    I guess if I HAD to pick- some form of L sit- b/c can do seated- hanging or in the roman chair.

    abs are like candy- to many good ones to just pick ONE favorite.
  • _benjammin
    _benjammin Posts: 1,224 Member
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    Hanging leg raises.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
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    front squats or over head squats- a lot of bang for buck there.

    These.

    In addition: DLs obviously in all their variations: go heavy with RDL and tell me that your abs aren't working, or try something like suitcase deads. Likewise with asymmetric loaded carry variations: suitcase carries, waiter walks, etc.

    High rep heavy kb swings are something that really punches the core if done right.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
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    Compound lifts definitely will force your ab's and obliques to engage during the lifts. For a little extra ab development for overall stability and injury prevention I would add a little variety in the form of ab exercises.

    - Ab wheel
    - Sprinter situps: lower back stress than traditional situps and crunches
    - Leg Lifts with a Pike
    - Standing Cable Chops & Cable Lifts
    - Kneeling Cable Chops & Cable Lifts
    - Standing Cable Pulldowns (weighted or with a band) We live on our feet after all.
    - Palloff Press
    - Side planks
    - Front planks
    - Reverse hyperextensions
    - Back Raises

    Obviously you're not gonna do all of these. Some Core training might look like
    a1 ab wheel x 25 reps
    a2 kneeling cable chops x 25 / side
    a3 kneeling cable lifts x 25 / side
    a4 back raises x 25 reps
    *repeat once or twice*
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
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    ummm.....i thought we all we're contributing *one* ab exercise?
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    it is... it's the abliftcablecrunchlegpikepallofpress exercise.

    get with it- you should know better.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
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    i get it now. my bad. i have to do a better job keeping up with the new stuff
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,608 Member
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    Overhead barbell squats. I can't do much weight, but man you have to keep core tight to do 'em.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal & Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,874 Member
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    Hanging leg raises.
  • yogicarl
    yogicarl Posts: 1,260 Member
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    Slow rise into headstand and hold it there for 10 slow deep breaths and slowly lowering back to the floor under control.
  • bugaboo_sue
    bugaboo_sue Posts: 552 Member
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    Planks.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,662 Member
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    Hanging leg raises.

    this but the over head squats sound interesting
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    i get it now. my bad. i have to do a better job keeping up with the new stuff
    crossabfitness

    get with it- you're supposed to be a professional You should be reading all about these things. cutting edge of ab fitness

    this but the over head squats sound interesting

    if by interesting you mean "they are the spawn of satan" then yes. They are very interesting.

    **still does them

    ***still sucks at them

    ***still thinks they are an awesome exercise
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
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    I guess the point of my post is that unlike strength training where you can say "what is the best lower body or full-body exercise", Core training is not so cut-and-dry in my opinion. The Core is not just ab's, it includes a couple muscle subsystems that won't just be targeted with leg lifts (for example). The Global Stabilization subsystem includes multiple muscle outside of just "abs".

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