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Crunches Working?
Do crunches/sit ups really work? I have heard that they do and also heard that they don't do anything. Can someone please tell me if they work & if so, what they actually do? I'll rate 5s. Thanks!
Also, what are some other tummy-toning exersizes? Thanks In Advancez!
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From my point of view- crunches work well and sit ups are just garbage.
Contrary to popular belief regular crunches don't just work the upper abs. The Rectus Abdominis is one whole muscle group whose only function is to bring the pelvis closer to the chest hence a "crunch" so the whole upper and lower regions are effectively worked- not just the top.
Sit ups don't work your abs- they work your hip flexor or iliopsos muscles which run from just above the glutes in back and just below the lower abs in front. Not effective at all- this goes for hanging leg raises or lying leg raises as well.
People place a lot of focus on their abdominal regions when really they do not need as many isolation exercises that they do if they would just learn how to work out the right way- but people always look for the easy way out and want results fast so they dont listen to me anyway lol.
Exercises such as squats, deadlifts, clean and presses, barbell rows all are compound movements which rely heavily on the stability that the core (abs) muscles provide. If you learn compound movements and how to successfully implement them- you will find that abs happen on their own and that isolation exercises are really just needed for "polishing up" so to speak with building a little extra muscle and then you can begin to what's called in bodybuilding "cut" with stripping away the bodyfat through clean diet and the metabolizing of extra calories through cardio exercises since you have now built yourself a good foundation.
By the way- good abs are of more importance than just looking good without a shirt- why do you think so many Americans have bad back problems? Because they're out of shape and don't have a good core (core means abs, obliques, etc.). Good abs help to protect against many common back problems.
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if they are done correct they work great! they tone the muscles in your upper and lower abs depeding on what kind you do.
and push ups if done correctly (hands straight down and in line with your shoulders) work your abs more than your arms
also yoga is great for your stomach
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Well it depends. People often refer to them in both muscle building and weight loss contexts. So...
If you mean do they build muscle on the abdominal area then yes (with crunches being far better).
If you mean do they make you slimmer on the abdominal area, then absolutely not.
Here is a link to a site that has all sorts of exercises for all muscle groups (just click on the abs and you will get all the examples you could want):
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
You should be aware that people overemphasize training the abs, while often neglecting the rest of their body. If you work out your whole body (at the gym) you often wont need much of an ab workout as the muscles are used as satbilizers. I have read articles by bodybuilders who never train abs except a bit prior to competition (and yet have a perfect sixpack).
Anyway, good luck training.
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yea they work, but you have to do them constantly, like you cant just do it once and expect to see result.. like do like 50 cruchez 3 nights a week n then for like 3 weeks you will see results.
OTHER TUMMY-TONNiiNG EXCERSIZES:
-• Partial Curl and Oblique Curl. These exercises you should do every second day. Build up to a maximum of 15 repetitions of each exercise. Once you can master 15 repetitions modify the exercise to make it more difficult by altering the position of your arms. For example:
Step 1: Place your arms on the front of the body resting on the thighs.
Step 2: Place your arms across your chest.
Step 3: Position your arms at the side of your head.
Step 4: Extend your arms straight above your head.
^^ from GooGle..!
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