? for the crunchers out there

[TBW]

Since I started doing my crunches every day, I'm really feeling a big difference in my abs and I'm loving it. BUT - I'm feeling them mostly in my upper and middle abdomen. How do I work the lower, below the belly button area, too? I usually do my crunches with my knees bent slightly and sometimes prop my feet on the couch, but I'm still not feeling it. I've also done some just raising my feet about a foot off the floor, but can only do a few of those at a time (for now). What should I change to hit those lower abs? Thanks for any tips.

[Lyssie]

Re: ? for the crunchers out there

Yeah, lower abs are my issue too. I always trained with crunches and completely ignored the lower part, now I'm trying to catch up to the rest. Here is a page with some good exercises: http://sparkpeople.com/resource/exer...cise_type=core

I especially like the jackknife with the ball, lying straight leg raises, pendulum (with and without ball), and reverse crunch (with or without a ball).

Hope this helps.

[TBW]

Re: ? for the crunchers out there

Thanks for the link. It looks like there are some really painful ones on there that should help

[apple]

Re: ? for the crunchers out there

I do reverse crunchers right after I finish my 3 miles every day while my body is sweaty/warm...between 40-60 depending on how many I do for regular and side crunchers to add up to 140. I basically split up my reverse crunchers between the others so I don't get too much of a back strain. I must say, that after 3 weeks of doing those I can tell a difference in the lower half

Best wishes!

[gooniegirl]

Re: ? for the crunchers out there

I like the lower ab ones where you raise your feet slowly and then lower them. There is also a killer exercise you can do on a slant board at the gym where you grab the top area above your head and lift your legs as high and straight as possible and then slowly as possible lower them. This is a killer and it works the abs all the way down. I cheat every day and do the lowers in the bath tub-feet near the taps-150 or so.

[gooniegirl]

Re: ? for the crunchers out there

Sorry-I meant the uppers in the tub!

[TBW]

Re: ? for the crunchers out there

Sorry-I meant the uppers in the tub!

I can just imagaine the tidal wave I would cause if I tried this . I did some reverse crunches last night and really felt those. I can only do a few now, so that's definitely something for me to work on. I tried some straight leg raises (don't think my back's strong enough for those yet) and some seated ones that really started to burn. Thanks to everyone for getting me pointed in the right direction.