Getting the Ab Work Right
Third day of the 30 Day Shred. I was actually a little sore yesterday from the squats and lunges! I want to be at the office really early this morning because I'm crazy excited about what I'm working on right now so I will do my workout tonight while I watch BIGGEST LOSER!! Oh I won't miss a day! How about you?
Jillian says something in the course of the workout that I want to bring out. I have a weird fetish for exercise and weight loss infomercials and I saw one recently for the "Ab Lounge." Nevermind that the word "lounge" should never be applied to a piece of exercise equipment as it is.... The people in the infomercial often mention how they hadn't previously done abs exercises because they had neck problems. ok WHAT? And your neck issues have to do with...um, what exactly when we're talking about working your ABS????
I think a big part of the problem comes from a common assumption that is easily altered. When people do abs work of any kind, they often lace their fingers behind their head and they try to pull up from their neck. NO NO NO. And may I say. NO!
When I exercise, I focus on the part of my body that is supposed to be doing the work. I concentrate very hard on putting a great amount of stress on that area and making it do all the work. In fact, with each repetition, I try to make it hurt more and more as if I am focusing with increasing precision on the part of my body I want to work HARD.
Here's an easy trick to try: Use the "Boxer" form. Instead of putting your hands behind your head, hold your arms with fists at shoulder height like a boxer in the ready stance. Keep your shoulders stable and look straight ahead. DON'T MOVE YOUR NECK AND SHOULDERS AT ALL!!! Concentrate on rotating and bending FROM YOUR CORE! Do this. Sit up straight in your chair right now. Back very straight, sit straight up! Do the Boxer, hold up your arms. Look straight ahead and imagine you CANNOT move your neck or even your eyes!! Look to the side by twisting from your waist and back again. It's as simple as that. The next time you do any abs exercise, think about not even moving your eyes and turning and bending yourself from your core ONLY! You will feel a difference.
So what does Jillian say in the DVD that I like so much? Remember this and imagine hearing her say it to you when you are working your abs:
"Your neck isn't invited to this party."
Jillian says something in the course of the workout that I want to bring out. I have a weird fetish for exercise and weight loss infomercials and I saw one recently for the "Ab Lounge." Nevermind that the word "lounge" should never be applied to a piece of exercise equipment as it is.... The people in the infomercial often mention how they hadn't previously done abs exercises because they had neck problems. ok WHAT? And your neck issues have to do with...um, what exactly when we're talking about working your ABS????
I think a big part of the problem comes from a common assumption that is easily altered. When people do abs work of any kind, they often lace their fingers behind their head and they try to pull up from their neck. NO NO NO. And may I say. NO!
When I exercise, I focus on the part of my body that is supposed to be doing the work. I concentrate very hard on putting a great amount of stress on that area and making it do all the work. In fact, with each repetition, I try to make it hurt more and more as if I am focusing with increasing precision on the part of my body I want to work HARD.
Here's an easy trick to try: Use the "Boxer" form. Instead of putting your hands behind your head, hold your arms with fists at shoulder height like a boxer in the ready stance. Keep your shoulders stable and look straight ahead. DON'T MOVE YOUR NECK AND SHOULDERS AT ALL!!! Concentrate on rotating and bending FROM YOUR CORE! Do this. Sit up straight in your chair right now. Back very straight, sit straight up! Do the Boxer, hold up your arms. Look straight ahead and imagine you CANNOT move your neck or even your eyes!! Look to the side by twisting from your waist and back again. It's as simple as that. The next time you do any abs exercise, think about not even moving your eyes and turning and bending yourself from your core ONLY! You will feel a difference.
So what does Jillian say in the DVD that I like so much? Remember this and imagine hearing her say it to you when you are working your abs:
"Your neck isn't invited to this party."
posted by Dagny at
5:15 AM
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