lesson # 2 abs exercise

The same old basic ab exercises that have been around for years, STILL work - and that means CRUNCHES!

"Core training" and "functional training" are the "IN" things today. Devices and modalities such a stability balls, medicine balls, core balls, ab wheels, kettlebells, functional exercises, and so on, are all valuable tools, but for the most part they simply represent what is trendy and fashionable in fitness training today.

"Core" and "functional training" come largely from the sports world, and if you're a competitive athlete, martial artist, golfer, tennis player, or you play any sport recreationally, this type of training is worth looking into.

Very recently, a well-known ab training "guru" wrote in one of his books that "Crunches are worthless." Funny how things change. It wasn't so long ago that powerlifter and exercise physiologist Fred "Dr. Squat" Hatfield wrote, and I quote, "Crunches are the Cadillac of abdominal exercises."

So what's the deal? Should you crunch or should you ditch this "old" exercise in favor of all the "new stuff?"

The truth is, there's a happy medium! Crunches are not "worthless," they're simply over-used. You can and should incorporate a wide variety of crunch variations into your program, but also be sure to include some functional work and stability ball work which will help develop your core musculature and allow you to work your abs through a larger range of motion.

However, for pure "cosmetic" ab development, there's nothing new under the sun. The "old school" methods are as valid as ever. And that starts with crunching exercises. Why? Because the prime function of the abs is to flex the spine and shorten the distance between the sternum and pelvis - which is exactly what crunching exercises do.

Despite all the new and trendy ab workouts and equipment being promoted these days, the good old crunch is the oldie but goodie I always come back to time and time again. I've used crunches and their many variations in almost all my training routines for years.

The best Crunch variations (upper abs)

Feet on floor reach through crunch Feet on floor, hands crossed over chest crunch Feet on floor hands behind head crunch Feet on bench hands behind head crunch Feet in air hands behind head crunch Feet in air, hands behind head, pull in knees, touch elbows Weight on chest crunch Weight behind head crunch Weight held at arms length above chest crunch Stability ball crunch, bodyweight Stability ball crunch, with resistance Weighted supine crunch machine (such as Icarian Ab Bench)