Them crunches one more time.

[Guest guest]

I have been following this whole issue around ab exercises with

interest. Over the last 30 years I have been dealing primarily with a

back injures and these folks usually have limited core stability. Thus,

during the early phase of rehab, ab work is included. But, from what I

have gleaned from rehabbing backs, my belief is once core is established

there is little need to continue doing specific core exercises. The

final phase of our rehab program focuses on lifting exercises

reinforcing hip-hinge pivoting, e.g., Romanian deadlift. Abdominal

strength then is maintained using the abdominals for " _bracing_ " and not

spinal flexion.

Personally, the only ab exercise I do is hanging trunk curls primarily

for decompressing lumbar spine following squats, power cleans, or

deadlifts. I also have found over the years that my abs get sore with

any over head work particularly after a bit of a layoff. The exercises I

have found really working abdominal are single DB shoulder press, front

squats, snatch-grip squats, and front & side lateral raises. With the

recent discussion on ab exercises I did a bit of experiment to see if my

abs were weak. Thus, got the ol' gym ball and did 500 crunches, then got

bored. No soreness resulted. I'LL NEVER DO AB EXERCISES AGAIN....

--

Dr. J.

Back Extender Company, Ltd

20 Kensington Ave

Whangarei, New Zealand

www.backextender.com